BY SAM DUVWODE
Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme has said the primary health care system in the state is being repositioned and revitalized to provide the basic minimum health care services to those at the grassroots.
Sir Onyeme gave the assurance today during the Fourth Quarter 2024 State Taskforce on Primary Health Care and Immunization Meeting at the Deputy Governor’s Office Conference Hall, Asaba.
The feputy governor, who is the state Taskforce Chairman on Primary Health Care said that as part of efforts to strengthen primary health care in the state, the government was currently carrying out infrastructural remodeling through repairs and expansion.
Sir Onyeme, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Asaba, Sir Ifeanyi Osakwe said the capacity of health workers was being built and promoted on a continuous basis as well as the provision of equipment and health consumables.
According to him; “Today’s meeting is to re-evaluate our individual and collective roles on the State Overall PHC Performance in 2024. Did we do well? Or could we have done better? The country and indeed Delta State is set to achieving the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for people,which is the Global target.”
“This prime responsibility is within our purview (all Governments-Federal, State and Local). Currently, the Primary Health Care System is being re-positioned/Revitalized, so as, to provide the Basic Minimum Health Care Services Package for all individuals and families.”
“Infrastructure (PHC Centers) re-modelling through repairs and expansion is ongoing.
Capacities of Health Workers is being built and promoted on a continuous basis.
Equipment and Commodities/consumables in Health are being provided. These are only a few to be mentioned.” Sir Onyeme noted.
He assured that the state government was working towards providing and improving the quality of healthcare services to make it available and accessible in a 24 hours circle.
The deputy governor said the country and the state was set to achieve the universal health coverage for the people, which was the global target.
Sir Onyeme said as part of efforts to enhance the effective coordination of the activities of primary health care centres in the twenty five local government areas, directed for a meeting between the Taskforce, Commissioner for Health, Council Chairmen, the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) and the Executive Secretaries of the Primary Health Care (PHC) Centres.
He said the meeting would address observed lapses and make all stakeholders be on the same page to achieve effective coordination and administration of the primary health care system at the local government level.
Some local government chairmen, who spoke, highlighted uncoordinated approach to healthcare issues at the grassroots, internal wranglings between health and environmental officers, fire brigade approach in tackling the outbreak of diseases, lack of synergy between the local government chairmen and Executive Secretaries of Primary Health Care among others as some challenges bedeviling primary healthcare .
The Functioning Executive Director, Delta State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Paul Yinkore said the agency cannot achieve results in delivering accessible and affordable health care at the grassroots unless all stakeholders must work together.
He said some of the issues raised have been addressed and highlighted the performance scale of the various local governments in the immunization and tackling of the outbreak of diseases.
The local government chairmen from Oshimili North, Ukwuani, Ughelli North,Patani, Aniocha South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Ethiope East and Ughelli South attended the meeting while Oshimili South, Udu and Isoko South Council Chairmen were represented.
