UNICEF Advises Imo Govt. On Strategy To Fund Health Sector, Deliver Quality Health Care
By Uche Onwuchekwa
The Imo State government charged to take strategy steps towards funding the health sector for the good health and vitality of the citizens and display seriousness and enthusiasm with the implication of the blueprint so as to improve the quality of health and the service data.
This admonition was made by the UNICEF Health Specialist, Enugu Field Office ,Dr.Olusoji Akinleye while addressing participants at the Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child Adolescent Health Nutrition RMNCAH+N Scorecard Development Training Workshop for Imo State.
According to the Health Specialist, the State government could achieve this through putting in place strategic mechanism aimed towards monitoring and evaluating delivery of informed decision making in respect of health care delivery to the populace .
Dr.Akinleye stressed that a situation where the hospitals and personnel are not properly equipped to function effectively is not acceptable and advised the State government to key into best global practices .
He submitted that in all human endeavours health is very paramount and government at all levels should give funding of this sector a priority through adequate funding , and manpower development as the importance of this sector cannot be over emphasised.
Dr . Akinleye charged the Monitoring and Evaluation Officers ( MEO) to ensure that the data they collect stands the text of time and ensure that they present the collated data in a holistic and sustainable manner.
According to him, the Officers should avoid over reporting and under reporting data and there is need to ensure that such data is interrogated from time to time.
His words “data collectiors should be made to work in a sustainable , harmonious form,overeporting and under reporting should be discouraged. The Local government should be encouraged to come up with accurate data for effective health care service delivery.when no body takes responsibility nothing is achieved.”
The Health Specialistlist charged them to be creative, work productively, think outside the box and show commitment to serve selflessly.
In his presentation, Dr.John Quinley , Consultant UNICEF Nigeria Office, highlighted that UNICEF is working with States and National governments so as to strengthen the health care system.
According to him ,one of the activity is promoting better use of accurate data in form of score cards to action and accountability.
Dr.Quinley submitted that these scorecards present available data in a way that is easy to interpret and encourages action .
He reavealed that these data are colour coded in such a way that citizens through perusal can identify how they are fairing at a glance and the score cards compels
the administrative units of various local government areas to keep accurate records .
He made it known that this approach was developed by African leaders Malaria Alliance.(ALMA) and has spread throughout Africa . Dr Quinley explained that the Federal Ministry of Health, has developed a National score card through the assistance of UNICEF ,Imo State he stated, is the 28th to key into the system and expressed assurance that other styates would join pretty soon.
In his contribution , the Commissioner for Health ,Dr .Barthy okorochukwu elaborated that the State government has rolled out free medical care to all pregnant women under going ante natal care, delivery including ceaserian section .
He also revealed that all children under the age of five are treated freely through the state Health Insurance Scheme and the Primary Health Care Development Agency .
The commissioner who was represented by the Director in the Ministry of Health ,
Dr Uloma Evi – Parker explained that the score cards will serve as an advocacy tool for all the stakeholders,so as to have a buy -in, in the the delivery of efficient, effective and impactful health delivery service, towards the achievement of universal health coverage in the State.
