OTTI LAUNCHES FIRST ABIA STATE COUNCIL ON HEALTH
REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
Governments at the state level are advised to support the Federal Government to ensure provision of necessary infrastructure in the healthcare system to reduce health tourism.
The Minister of Health, Prof Ali Pate, gave the advice in Umuahia in a message to the official opening of the first Abia State Council on Health with the theme “Providing an Accessible, Affordable and Quality Healthcare System for the New Abia.”
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ifenyinwa Uma-Kalu, described the event as apt considering the experience of Covid – 19 that exposed inadequacies in the health sector.
He stressed the need to improve on the healthcare delivery and applauded Governor Alex Otti for his resolve to renew the approach of healthcare system.
In his remarks, the state Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, promised to introduce a special welfare package for Abia State health workers in 2024 to boost their morale.
He explained that the aim was to reduce the mass exodus of workers in the State health system who abandoned their jobs in preference to greener pastures abroad.
The keynote Speaker and former Director, Health Planning and Statistics of the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Ngozi Azodo, harped on the need for functional healthcare system.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo described the first State Council on Health as a demonstration of the commitment of the Governor led Otti administration to prioritize developmental initiatives for human capital development.
The event featured goodwill messages from the representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Caritas Nigeria, NACA among other partners.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
