Gov. Ugwuanyi Seeks Sustenance of DFID Health Programme in Enugu

Impressed by its numerous achievements in healthcare delivery in the past six years, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has called
for a successor project to the Department for International Development’s (DFID) Path II Programme.

The governor made the comment at a dinner organised by the state government for DFID members at the Banquet Hall, Governor’s Lodge,
Enugu.

He noted that a continuation will enable the state government strenghten its health care delivery system and build a platform for
future progress and expansion of the sector.

Commending the organisation for its painstaking commitment to healthcare, Ugwuanyi added that it would also strengthen the cordial
relationship between the state and the organisation.

“We are hopeful, and in fact believe, that the team will articulate and mount a successor programme that will help bring further
improvement in the state health-care delivery system and also strengthen relationship between it and the state government,” he said.

The leader of the team, Dr. Diana Simplitari, said they were in Enugu to thank the governor for his immense support and to highlight some of
the challenges that remain.

Dr. Simplitari said the programme has helped in improving the health status of urban and rural dwellers who are the primary beneficiaries
of the Public-Private Partnership programme.

The National Programme Manager for DFID PATH II programme, Dr. Mike Egbo, similarly lauded the governor for the remarkable strides his administration had recorded in healthcare. “We need to get to a stage when Enugu State becomes the Mecca of healthcare in Nigeria. It’s
conceivable under your leadership,” he said.

Other speakers including the state’s commissioner for health, Dr. Samuel Ngwu, urged the DFID to consider launching a third arm for the
programme as it would further bolster the state’s grassroots health initiatives..