Primary Health facilities in the state will soon receive a facelift.
This position was made known by the chairman, Governing Board of the state Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Martin Akpan.
Speaking when he welcome officials of the centre for communication and social Impact, a World Bank funded NGO to the state, Dr. Akpan hinted that already over two hundred primary health centres have been selected and earmarked for a holistic intervention in the areas of infrastructure upgrade, equipment and manpower.
He further disclosed that overall, not fewer than three hundred and sixty eight Health centres in the state will benefit from this revitalization initiative, based on the current Government policy of one health centre per political ward, adding that the policy was a joint initiative of the Federal and state governments.
He further commended governor Udom Emmanuel for according top priority to health programmes and issues in the state.
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Dr. Akpan however, maintained that the commencement and expanse of the revitalization programme will depend to a large extent on the Basic Healthcare provision Fund, a Federal government life line to states to reform the primary health sector.
He expressed his optimism that, in line with his Excellency’s vision, the state social health insurance scheme will soon become operational to fast track access to the Fund.
The primary healthcare boss used the occasion to once again condemn the October attack on the corporate headquarters of the Agency by hoodlums in the guise of END-SARS protesters, which resulted in large scale destruction and looting of the facility.
Describing the incident as an unfortunate distraction, and a major setback for the state for the state, he cautioned the youth against disruptive behaviour capable of jeopardizing their future, as no progress can be made in an atmosphere of chaos, disorder and hostility.
Earlier, the visiting project Manager of the Centre for Communication and social impact, Mr. Happiness Simeon had told the primary health care boss that they were in the state to partner the Agency in the implementation of an innovative social and behaviour change communication campaign through faith leaders in the thirty one local government areas with the aim of improving knowledge, attitude and practice around maternal, infant and young child nutrition.
Mr. Simeon, who was accompanied on the visit by the Centres state based social mobilization officer, Ms Utibe Eyo Archibong, was assured by Dr. Akpan of the state government readiness to partner progressive organizations with people centre initiative.
The project will last for three years, beginning this year.
