BY SAM DUVWODE
The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme has described the primary healthcare system as a bedrock in provision of minimum healthcare services to individuals and families.
Onyeme, who is the Chairman of the Delta State Taskforce on Immunization, made the remark in his office, at Government House, Asaba, Tuesday, during a meeting with members of the state taskforce, which include the chairmen of the 25 local government area, as well as ministries of Environment, Health, Education, Women Affairs as well as religious leaders, traditional rulers, and other relevant stakeholders.
The Deputy Governor noted that based on the importance of effective primary healthcare delivery, the government deemed it necessary to set up the taskforce.
According to Onyeme ”It is worthy to note that Primary Health Care is the bedrock of service delivery and proven approach to any universal coverage. “The prime responsibility for this is within the purview of our local government areas. It must be positioned to provide minimum healthcar package for all individuals and families. “Therefore, the revitalization of the Primary Health care system is very imperative, however there are sheer responsibilities for the three tiers of government led by the presidency, the State Governors and Local Government Chairmen or their Deputies respectively.
“Hence the Federal Government through the health and social services mandated the constitution of the National State and Local Government Task Forces that have expansion to include staff of state Ministries Department and Agencies, including the local government health Women Affairs, Education, Local Government Commission, National Orientation Agency, civil societies, including the Religious leaders. The task forces on primary health care/immunization established under the national act. “Currently the country has instituted the following; Basic Health Care Provision Fund.BHCF, Immunization Plus and malaria progress by accelerating coverage and transforming services.
“Health Insurance Midwife and Community Health Insurance Workers for revitalising the Primary Health Care System. All these are bodies created just to revitalize the primary health care system. The above attempt addressed the under listed Items; support the introduction of human papiloma virus and other vaccine preventable diseases, inadequate human resources, inadequate infrastructures and amenities, provision of logistics for health outreach, and mobile services to diseases outbreak risk hard to reach or riverine communities, and stock out health commodities like drugs and vaccines 6 prevent and mitigate natural and artificial disasters”.
Sir Onyeme observed that there were numerous setback due to poor leadership oversight and coordination, pointing out that “we are here to reaffirm our commitment to Delta State Primary Health care system to the strengthening of better Primary Health System as enshrined in the Abuja commitment.
In a brief exposition, the Executive Director, Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Paul Yinkore noted inadequate counterpart funding, shortage of medical personnel and inability of stakeholders to take ownership as some of the challenges to the adequate provision of affordable health care in the state.
The Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Chief Joseph Otirhue and the ALGON Chairman, Chief Isaiah Esiowan who spoke said they were ready to comply with the directive for effective health care delivery to the people at the grassroot.
