By Timothy Ekpo
UYO
Akwa Ibom governor has pledged his determination to transform the health sector of the State to deliver on its mandate of providing efficient and effective healthcare services to the people.
Pastor Umo Eno gave the assurance at the 65th Annual Scientific Conference and 66th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP), which took place, recently, at Ibom Hall, Uyo.
Ably represented by the State deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the governor stated his administration’s ongoing efforts to reposition the health sector through the provision of world-class infrastructures at the grassroots, and the steps taken to improve the welfare services to medical personnel in the State.
Eno also restated his commitment to making the State the medical hub of the nation, with the provision of primary health care centres across the 31 local government areas, and the planned establishment of Akwa Ibom State International Hospital, adding that with the equipping of those hospitals with sophisticated tertiary facilities, there would be access to the treatment of major health challenges.
“We are working very hard to make Akwa Ibom State the medical hub of Nigeria with a view to minimizing outbound traffic, while attracting inbound traffic to enjoy world-class medical services here”, Eno said.
The governor noted that with Ibom Specialist Hospital, the proposed Ibom International Hospital and other medical facilities earmarked for the medical corridor, his dreams and visions to raise the bar in the health sector would be realised for the benefit of the State, and the entire country.
“As part of the efforts towards the actualisation of this vision, I recently declared a state of emergency in the health sector, and concrete plans are underway to significantly improve the welfare and the conditions of service of medical personnel serving with the Akwa Ibom State Government.”
Eno expressed his admiration for the crucial role of physiotherapists in healthcare, emphasising their impact on recovery, mobility and pain management for accident victims, stroke patients and the elderly.
The state chief executive called for greater awareness about the profession to encourage the enrolment of younger professionals for the benefit of society.
“Physiotherapists are very unique medical professionals whose contributions are sometimes underestimated. With my awareness of the indispensable role of this great profession, I can’t help but thank God we have physiotherapists in this world”, the governor stated.
Even as he noted that medical professionals were statutorily permitted to combine public service with private practice, Eno urged for a conscientious balance between both, asserting that the neglect of patients in public healthcare facilities by medical personnel was a breach of public trust, a violation of the hippocratic oath and a negation of the humanitarian spirit of medical science.
He maintained that his administration’s economic initiatives, like the Ibom Entrepreneurial Development Centre and the Dakadda Skills Acquisition Centre, were designed to encourage and promote self-reliance and entrepreneurship in the State.
In his remarks, the commissioner for health, Dr Ekem Emmanuel John, outlined key incentives for health workers under CONMESS and CONHESS approved by the State government to improve workers’ welfare and check brain drain in the health sector.
John also announced approvals for the renovation of eight general hospitals across the state and the ongoing recruitment of health workers, urging qualified professionals to take advantage of the exercise.
The conference, which attracted health professionals from across the country, featured remarks by the President of the Society, Dr. Oyinlola Felix Odusanya; State chairman of NSP, Dr. Anyanwu Chukwunonso Cleophas, and a keynote address on “Strengthening Nigeria’s Physiotherapy Value Chain through Entrepreneurship” by Ayodeji O. Famujide.
Highpoint of the AGM included presentations of awards to the State governor, the deputy governor and the commissioner for health.
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