Law makers in Enugu State condemn professional negligence in health facilities.
The Enugu State House of Assembly Committee Chairman on Health, Dr. Emeka Ogbuabor has raised alarm over possible collapse of health facilities resulting from administrative and professional negligence.
Some of the members also lament over lack of accessible roads in various communities they are representing.
In a presentation during a plenary, Dr. Ogbuabor expressed mixed feelings that the State Government’s effort to revive the health sector could be a mirage.
He stated that the state midwifery Institute in Awgu Local Government had closed down for over a decade while the ESUT nursing School had lost its accreditation and wondered where and how health institutions in the state would source for manpower.
Dr. Ogbuabor who is representing Isi uzo State Constituency alleged that the Ministry of Health had technically refused to implement the free maternal and child health care programme of the state government, jeopardizing the health conditions of the concerned citizens.
“You can’t sustain your hospitals if you do not produce people who will come to those hospitals“
The member representing Nsukka East State Constituency, Chief Chimdu Nwamba lamented that the people of his area were passing through hard times due to bad roads not minding yearly approval of fund for Ehandiagu-Ehalumona-Neke-Mbu road on the budget.
“Nsukka and Isiuzo are the only two Local Governments that are not connected by a road network“.
The Member representing Igbo-Etiti West, Chief James Akadu called for the inclusion of Ukehe-Ohebe Dim Aku road in the present budget .
However, the house committee Chairman on Water Resources, Chief Anthony Ogidi announced that the State Government plans to obtain a loan for fifty million United States dollars to boost thewater sector.
“If that is done, I will assure you that for twenty-four hours, water will be running.“
Mrs. Ethel OyiboUgwuanyi representing Igbo-Eze North One praised the Executive for a robust budget estimate.
Meanwhile, the member representing Enugu North, Mr. Philip Nnamani expressed doubt over the possibility of actualizing the budget stating that there had been a decline in revenue records of some ministries.
The Appropriation Bill has passed its second reading and referred to the Committee on Finance and appropriation for further legislative action. The Speaker of the House, Chief Edward Ubosi said the house was poised in passing an acceptable appropriation bill.
Chief Ubosi assured the people of the State that the house would protect their interest at all times.
BY OLIVER OSSAI