ENUGU ASSEMBLY INTERVENES IN WRANGLE IN THE STATE MINISTRY OF HEALTH

The Enugu State House of Assembly has expressed fear of possible collapse of the health sector in the state because of wrangle in the ministry of health.

Members of the House Committee on health stated this during an expanded meeting with the State Ministry of Health officials and its agencies at the Assembly Complex, Enugu.

The meeting, which was part of the oversight function of the House Committee on Health, was to assess the progress and challenges of the Ministry especially at it commences preparation for its next year’s budget estimate.

The Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Emeka Ogbuabor representing Isi-Uzo constituency explained that EnuguState Government had a robust health care programme meant to address challenges confronting the public health alleging that top health officials had continued to jeopardize the effort.

Dr. Ogbuabor expressed worry about poor performance of the state free maternal and child health care programme and internal squabble in the health ministry, which he said could adversely affect the sector if it went unchecked.

He called on the Commissioner for Health and Directors in the Ministry to close ranks in the interest of the state.

Other members of the committee, including Messrs. James Akadu, Philip Nnamani and Chief Mathias Ekweremadu in their different remarks, expressed unhappiness with the slow progress made in the health sector not minding both local and international financial intercession.

Reacting to some of the issues raised, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Finatan Ekochin, said that the ministry had recorded huge success in its administrative and operational mechanism.

There was also presentation from different heads of various units and schools under the ministry.

OLIVER OSSAI