By Patrick Ekpo, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has given reason why his administration is intentional about making healthcare accessible to all including those at the rural communities.
He said his administration believed that while it is important to build roads, schools, markets and empower the people, it’s also conscious of the fact that people can only enjoy these things if they are healthy.
The governor said this while inaugurating a Model Primary Health Centre in Nsit Atai Local Government Area of the state, on Thursday.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator (Dr.) Akon Eyakenyi, the governor said his administration would continue to work to provide critical social amenities and infrastructure in rural areas, in line with the ARISE Agenda.
According to him “I am excited because we are on track in the implementation of the ARISE Agenda, particularly the dimension that has to do with rural development.
“This administration does not embark on projects to score political points. We are intentional about enhancing the standard of living of the people. All our projects comply with global standards.
“It is impossible to talk about other areas of progress when sickness ravages the body unchecked. As we build roads, schools, markets and initiate numerous empowerment programmes for our people, we are conscious of the fact that they can only enjoy these things if they are healthy.
“This is why we are intentional about making healthcare accessible to all Akwa Ibomites, including those in rural communities.
“We are working towards a viable integrated healthcare delivery system, from primary to secondary before graduating to the highly sophisticated tertiary healthcare institutions. Without primary healthcare facilities, such as the one sited here, the other two levels will be unnecessarily over-burdened or made ineffective”.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness and inclusivity in the allocation of government projects, ensuring that no part of the state is marginalized.
While acknowledging the contributions of the stakeholders and entire people of the area for their collaboration in making the project a reality, Eno urged them to take ownership of the facility and ensure its maintenance for the long-term benefit of the people.
“For government’s efforts in this regard to be sustained for the maximum benefits of our people, the stakeholders must take ownership by ensuring the facilities are neither mismanaged nor vandalized.
“Development and true transformation will never take place if new projects don’t meet old facilities. Remember, if it is needed today, it will be much more needed in the future”, he said
Giving an overview of the project, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Augustine Umoh said that the Model Health Centre is equipped with a pharmacy, laboratory, steady power supply and staff quarters, amongst other modern health facilities.
