NGO Advocates Upgrade Of Health Centres, Recruitment Of Personnel

By Chiamaka Egbunem/Elizabeth Samuel

UYO

In order to meet the health care needs of the rural people in Akwa Ibom state, a Non-Governmental Organization, Connected Development (CODE) has made passionate appeal to government for urgent recruitment of healthcare workers and upgrading of infrastructure in the Primary Health Centres across the state.

The representative of CODE in the state, Mr Ubong Ekpe made the case recently during a town-hall meeting organized by the NGO, in Uyo to present a report on the status of selected Primary Health Centres they visited across the state.

Ekpe said the call became necessary because of the role the primary health centres play in delivering healthcare services to the people in rural areas of the state.

He maintained that they were compelled to draw the attention of government because of their findings they collated during the tour of the health facilities across the state, so that something could be done to meet the healthcare needs of the people.

The Executive Secretary, Akwa Ibom State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Mrs Eno Attah, appreciated Connected Development for their analysis, saying “their research has helped to put the spotlight on us and also made our work easier for us.”

Attah, who said that the state has started benefiting from the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, added that the funds is gradually meeting the needs highlighted by the NGO and the people.

She expressed the hope that with the funds in place, the primary healthcare needs of the people will be adequately met.

Some of the citizens who attended the meeting decried the dilapidated nature of health facilities in their areas and called for total overhaul to ensure optimum service delivery.

The citizens, who were drawn from different local government areas of the state observed  that if the health facilities were well equipped and staffed, citizens will patronize the health centresfor their health needs.

Iboro Imose, who hails from Esit Urua in Eket Local Government area, highlighted other concerns of the citizens to include, lack of portable water supply, electricity, inadequate health personnel among others.

The meeting featured interactive session and presentation of data analysis by the NGO.