Ugwaunyi’s commitment in improving health care system in Enugu State

MAURICE OKAFOR, Enugu

The Enugu state government as part of it’s commitment in providing adequate health care to the people of the state has promised to tackle all the challenges militating against functional health system in the rural areas.
The state commissioner for Health, Dr Sam Ngwu gave this assurance after the maiden meeting of the health management board and donor agencies that have been supportive of the state health programmes, held at Nike lake hotel, Enugu.
He stressed the present administration in the state led by Governor Ugwaunyi outlined provision of adequate healthcare system for the citizens and other Nigerians living in Enugu state as one of it’s four agenda of development for the state. Therefore, the state ministry of health under his regime found it necessary to articulate a common agenda on health care delivery to all nooks and crannies of the state.
Briefing news men thereafter the meeting, Dr Sam Ngwu said the problem of inadequate power supply will be taken care off by the state government as the hospitals are supposed to have a 24 hour constant electric power supply, to enhance their operations, without any hitch.
The Enugu state commissioner for health further disclosed that the state government is working out incentive packages that are being posted rural areas, so as to enable them live among the people and attend to any emergent health situation at any point in time.
He stressed it is very unethical for medical doctors posted to the rural communities to reside in the city metropolis and only visit their hospitals in the rural communities, during the day time.
Whereas they are supposed to be Resident Doctors in the specific communities of their posting.
That notwithstanding, he disclosed that the new administration in the state is working out additional incentives that will compel, medical doctors posted to the rural communities to live among the people.
Prior to the stakeholders meeting with donor agencies in the state, the present administration in Enugu state under Governor Ugwuanyi, recently authorized the upgrading of three hospitals within Enugu North senatorial zone, to enable their rural dwellers receive adequate medical attention within reach, and curtail the problem of covering long distance to Enugu in search of medi care.
The state commissioner for Health, Dr Samuel Ngwu ,accompanied by a delegation of the state health management board had visited some of the hospitals, within Enugu North senatorial zone, on a fact finding mission.
The three hospitals within Enugu North senatorial district that were considered for upgrading are the Nsukka District hospital at Nsukka and Comprehensive Health Center, Amalla Orba, in Udenu local government, both of which will be upgraded to the status of General hospital, so as to cater for the health needs of the people. While Enugu Ezike District hospital will be upgraded to a specialist hospital.
The state commissioner for Health assured that work will commence in earnest as the state government will leave no stone unturned in actualizing it’s focal agenda of providing basic health facilities to the citizens and other Nigerians residing in the state, stating the above mentioned hospitals after the upgrading will equally provide relief for commuters traveling to and fro the East to the Northern part of the country, in emergent health situations.
He demanded the cooperation of both the traditional rulers and council authorities of Nsukka, Udenu and Igbo Eze North local government areas in securing the equipments and properties of the contractors that will handle the projects as soon as they move to site.
Dr Samuel Ngwu who was accompanied on the tour of the fact finding mission by some management staff of the state health board including, Dr Nnamchi Roberts, Dr Okechukwu Osai, Dr Hillary Agbo, Dr Ossai and Mr Emeka Nebo, the public relations officer, of Enugu Ministry of Health, lamented the dearth of facilities and equipment in most of the hospitals and restated the commitment of Governor Ugwuanyi in ensuring that the state hospitals are adequately equipped.
His words, ‘We have seen and we have been briefed of the challenges of Electricity and water supply bedeviling these hospitals. I assure you that the present administration in the state under Governor Ugwuanyi will tackle all the challenges head on, the health of the people is one the major focus of his government’.
Earlier on, the chief Medical Director of Nsukka district hospital, Dr Joseph Nnamani, disclosed to the commissioner and his team that they go through hell in fueling the hospital Generator on daily basis for use,since power supply from PHCN was cut off, based on the hospital’s over N2.3million naira indebtedness to the organization.
Respectively, the Nsukka local government chairman, Hon Charles Ugwu and Hon Cornelius Ezeugwu of Igbo. Eze North council area, assured of their commitment in securing both the equipments and lives of the contractors that will be detailed to the hospital project, stating they never had it good before this time.