Primary Healthcare facilities have been identified as key to achieving the Universal Health Coverage.
The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Delta State Governor on Health Monitoring, Dr. Michael Nwoko, while flagging off the monitoring and evaluation of Primary Health Care facilities in Oshimili south local government area at the PHC, behind DLA Asaba, noted that Primary Health Care was the foundation of Health Care delivery service.
Dr Nwoko said this informed the commitment of the Okowa administration to ensuring that Primary Healthcare facilities across the State were functional in order to meet the increasing demand for Health Care at the grassroots level.
The SSA and his team were conducted round the facility by the Chief Health Officer of the centre, Mrs. Uche Odache, who told the SSA that patient load in the centre was high, attributing it to the free medical service of the state government which she said was highly commendable.
Dr Nwoko urged staff of the centre and indeed all Primary Health Care providers to be dedicated to their duties in order ti justify government’s huge investment in the health sector, promising to channel the challenges of the centre to the appropriate quarters.
The SSA and his team later proceeded to Umuagu Primary Health Centre, where they met many joyful nursing mothers on routine immunization of their babies singing praises to God for His Grace and to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for providing free medical care for them and their kids.
The Chief Matron of the Centre, Mrs B. Okenyi, who was on hand to receive the team, commended Governor Okowa for the laudable free medicare of his administration and his focus on the health sector, noting that the mothers were happy and patronage of the Primary Health Centre encouraging.
At the Primary Healthcare Center, Anwai, Dr Nwoko charged the Staff to brace up to their services, adding that they should uphold ethical standards in the discharge of their duties and be remindful of the high premium the state government placed on primary healthcare delivery.
The Healthcare Officer enumerated the challenges of the Center to the SSA, whopromised to convey their complaints to the appropriate authorities.
The SSA and his team also visited the Cable Point Primary Health Centre, Asaba, the Akwuebulu Primary Health Centre and the Okwe Primary Health Centre before stopping over at the General Hospital Okwe to confirm the latest delivery of equipment to the Centre and do a re assessment of the hospital’s store.
He was met on arrival by the Zonal Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr. Mark Agadas, who confirmed that a few medical supplies had been delivered.
The ZMD thanked Dr. Michael Nwoko for his prompt report on the challenges facing the Hospital, adding that most of the issues they had were attended to immediately after his first visit, while adding the ICU ambulance had become fully functional.
Responding, the SSA said the quick response to the challenges of the Hospital underscored the determination of Governor Okowa to promptly address health matters.
Dr Nwoko reiterated that ambulance service was crucial to the facility in view of the strategic location of the Hospital to the Asaba – Onitsha express way, as they should always be ready to offer emergency services to accident cases on the road.
The SSA advised on the use of incinerators by Hospitals and clinics for the disposal of medical waste to prevent environmental hazards.
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