WHO vows to support Abia Govt on primary healthcare delivery
Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia
The zonal coordinator World Health Organization South East, Dr. Chukwumuanya Igbokwu, has assured that the International organization will partner the Abia State government to improve on healthcare delivery in the state.
Igbokwu, spoke in Umudike and Obuohia Okike communities during the handing over of two renovated and retrofitted Primary Health Centres in Ikwuano Local Government Area of the state the communities.
He said he was glad that Governor Alex Otti, has prioritized the availability of quality primary healthcare in rural communities.
He also said the policy direction of the Otti’s led administration is inline with what WHO advocacy on strengthening primary healthcare system represent.
Impressed by the quality of equipment in the PHCs, Igbokwu promised that his organization will adopt them and provide necessary assistant to make it function better.
“This is the kinds of news that we want to hear in WHO as we partner with governments. I can assure you that as a result of my presence here, WHO will also be adopting this health facility and also support the government to sustain what it has started in this facility.
“As we go around the health facilities, if there are things that WHO can do to complement the efforts of the state government to provide the best care for you, we will do it”, he said.
“He revealed that the World Health Organisation is taking notice of what is happening in Abia in terms of improving the healthcare service delivery.
“I oversee all the states in South East, I receive briefings from our state coordinators on a weekly basis on the efforts being made by various state governors of the southeast.
“Abia has been outstanding in healthcare delivery, for me, it’s a testament to the true health stance of the governor of the state, I feel that the people of Abia State are indeed very lucky to have a governor like Dr. Otti, that is interested in healthcare of the people”Igbokwu said.
He commended the members of the communities for the active role they played during the renovation of the health centre, urging them to continue in that direction after the centre has been handed over to them.
“Community participation is actually one of the cornerstones of a strong health system and a strong primary healthcare system.
“So I want to congratulate the people of Umudike Autonomous community for the active role they are playing in PHC care revitalisation and the support they are giving to the government
to deliver the dividends
of democracy to the people of the states.
“And as I was also talking to the Honourable Commissioner for health this morning, he told me that the state government is embarking on the employment of health workers who are going to manage all the primary health care facilities that are being renovated, that’s an added advantage to your community”, he added.
Also speaking the Commissioner for Health in the state Professor. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche said Governor Otti has already approved the building of a staff quarter and fencing of the health Centre inline with his healthcare revolution agenda.
He tasked the beneficiaries to
protect the health centre, monitor health workers to ensure that they report to the centre to discharge their duties at all times.
“You are the eyes and ears of the government. If things are not going well, it is your responsibility to report that things are not going well, so that the government can always come to your aid.
“But I’m very hopeful and I’m sure that the health workers that are being posted to this health facility will deliver in the interest of the community”. he said
The member representing Ikwuano state constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly Hon Boniface Isienyi, lauded the governor for coming to rescue his constituents by renovating health centres that were comatose before he came to office.
“I moved a motion on the floor of the house to declare a state of emergency in all the health Centres in Ikwuano Local Government Area
on February 24, 2024, today we are here to celebrate because we have a listening governor”, he stated.
In their separate remarks the traditional ruler of Obuohia Okike
Eze Mgbeonyere Elereibe and the President General Umudike Ukwu Autonomous community, chief Chinedum Adindu, commended the governor for the huge investment towards improving the healthcare needs of rural dwellers which they said has returned hope of good medical care to Abia residents.