The World Health Organization, WHO, has lauded the Enugu State governor, Dr Peter Mbah over his massive investments in the health sector of the state, saying he has distinguished himself from others as a pro-health governor with strong political commitment for health.
This was made known by the WHO Zonal Coordinator in the South East, Dr. Chukwumuanya Igboekwu during an inspection tour of the the newly completed Type 2 Primary Health Care Centers (PHCs) at Emene in Enugu East LGA, as well as Ogbaku and Mmaku in Awgu LGA of the state on Thursday.
Dr. Igboekwu observed that the Mbah administration’s ongoing construction of the Primary Health Care facilities in the 260 electoral wards in the state is an investment that will ensure the most sustainable pathway towards achieving health security and universal health coverage for the people of Enugu State.
According to him, WHO as the guardian of public health will continue to support and partner with the state to prioritize health, saying that investment in health is a catalyst for economic growth through healthier labour force and higher productivity.
“By this laudable initiative, the governor has set himself and his government apart from others as an outstanding pro-health governor with strong political commitment for health. The building and equipping of these health facilities and by extension, the revitalisation of the Primary Health Care system is at the heart of the SDGs on human capital development especially the goal 3 which talks about good health and and wellbeing.
“The WHO is glad that the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has committed himself and his government to building a strong, resilient health system that delivers the highest attainable standard of health outcomes for the people of Enugu State in line with the goals of UHC and SDGs,” the coordinator said.
Speaking, the Executive Secretary, Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, ENPHCDA, Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku said that the revitalisation of the primary health care system in the state was in line with the governor’s promise to make Enugu a beacon of primary health care not only in the east but the entire Nigeria.
According to her, some of facilities in some parts of the state were already running and so many would soon be completed and commissioned to deliver optimal services to the people of the communities who are equally the owners of the projects and part of the facility management system.
Dr. Ani-Osheku maintained that the phase one flagship project of the facilities was already at its final stage, thanking the WHO, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, and other partners for their support in ensuring a wave of change in the state.
“Part of our role is to ensure that we deliver qualitative health promotion and education. When people know a lot about positive health changing behaviors and institute it, it brings about positive behavioural change. We are also heavy in the immunization space with our partners. This ensures that our children and community members do not die from preventable causes.
“Through the support of the state government led by Dr. Peter Mbah, our National Primary Health Care Development Agency and our partners, we are currently in supplemental immunization activities against measles. We are ensuring that pregnant women are able to access antenatal services to protect them and their babies. We are equally providing people with the right information that will guide the parents in planning their family size based on how much they can accommodate,” Dr. Ani-Osheku said.
On the personnel that will run the facilities, she said that the state government iwas already expanding the array of staff that would be employed, as the state would not limit itself to the status quo of the already existing community heath workers.