By Timothy Ekpo
UYO
The Akwa Ibom government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the State’s health sector into a leading medical tourism destination through strategic investments in world-class healthcare infrastructure.
The State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who made this known, recently, when he received the Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Nigeria, Ms. Kristen Weringsaasen, on a courtesy visit at Government House, Uyo, said his administration’s resolve to reposition the health sector covers the provision of modern diagnostic facilities and quality healthcare services.
Represented by the deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the governor, who addressed the team alongside a delegation from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), said healthcare remains a major priority of his administration.
He explained that ongoing investments in infrastructure and human capital development are aimed at eliminating medical tourism abroad, improving healthcare access, and ensuring affordable and quality medical services for all the citizenry and residents of the State.
Highlighting key reforms in the sector, the governor listed the construction of a 250-bed Specialist Hospital along the state’s medical corridor, the establishment of model Primary Healthcare Centres across the 31 local government areas, the recruitment of over 3,000 healthcare personnel, expansion of the State Health Insurance, and the provision of ambulances across local government areas and remote communities for emergency response services.
Eno expressed appreciation to the Government of Norway and UNFPA for supporting healthcare interventions in Akwa Ibom, particularly efforts targeted at the treatment and rehabilitation of women living with obstetric fistula.
Earlier, the Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Nigeria, Ms. Kristen Weringsaasen, said the delegation was in Akwa Ibom to commission upgraded health facilities executed in partnership with the state government and to officially hand over medical equipment to Immanuel General Hospital, Eket.
Also speaking, the UNFPA Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Muriel Mafico, said the visit underscored the collective responsibility of governments and development partners to support women suffering from obstetric fistula and ensure they are not abandoned to their condition.
She disclosed that UNFPA has maintained a productive partnership with Akwa Ibom for the past 17 years and pledged continued support towards improving maternal and reproductive healthcare outcomes.
According to her, sustainable progress in women’s health requires inclusive participation and collective action.
Mafico commended the philosophy embedded in the Akwa Ibom Anthem, noting its alignment with UNFPA’s guiding principle of “leaving no one behind.”
She further lauded the State government’s sustained investments in healthcare and appreciated the Government of Norway for supporting UNFPA programmes across several countries of operation.
In his remarks, the commissioner for health, Dr. Ekem John, described obstetric fistula as a preventable condition and stressed that no woman should suffer from it.
Ekem assured that the State government, in collaboration with development partners, would intensify efforts towards total eradication of obstetric fistula in Akwa Ibom.
While thanking Norway and UNFPA for their invaluable support to ongoing health sector reforms, the health commissioner urged the UNFPA to fulfil its commitment towards providing solar-powered lighting facilities to healthcare centres in the State.
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