Professionals in the medical field have urged the governors of the five South Eastern states to declare a state of emergency in the health sector of the region following what they described as poor and disturbing health facilities in the zone.
At a two day seminar held in Owerri, Imo State, on setting the agenda for health care in the zone with interest in health sector accountability, the professionals said that
engaging in meaningful dialogues and collaborative efforts are imperative to revolutionize South East’s healthcare system.
According to them lack of access to quality healthcare system and health sector accountability were jeopardising lives of the people leaving and working in the region.
The seminar which was attended by the Imo State commissioner for Health, Success Prosper, Permanent Secretaries from all the southeastern states, Executive Secretaries from the Primary Health Care Centres in the region, the Chief Medical Directors of the Tertiary hospitals in the region.
and Director for Public Health Services in the south eastern region was organised by BudgIT Foundation, a Non Governmental Organisation.
The team leader for BudgIT foundation, Iyanuolua Bolarinwa, said that leaders in the country in the region need to invest more in the healthcare system of the region.
A communique signed at the end of the seminar read “Human Resource Management: The Human Resource For Health in the state must develop and implement a timely policy for the recruitment and appointment of Health Personnel focusing on not only numbers but on quality as well.
“The State Government should Improve and harmonize salary and remuneration structures
For the Health workers.
Preparedness for an Epidemic Outbreak .The State Commissioner for Health should Establish infectious Disease Hospitals in all the
Senatorial zones with functional Modular Laboratories and Ambulance services.
“The State senate and House of Reps should set up a committee to work with the State Epidemiologist in readiness for an epidemic at any time.
Proper Governance Structure in the Health System. The State Ministry of Health through the Commissioner for Health should oversee the activities of
Agencies in the Health Sector.
“Non-State Actors inclusion. The State Government should consider the involvement of CBOs, FBOs and Development Partners
using Partnership Co-ordinating Forum.
Improvement and Access to HealthCare Facilities.The State’s National Health Insurance Authority should make Provision of Health Insurance
Schemes to formal, informal and people living with disabilities.
2. The State Government should make Provision for a good road network and transportation that is
peculiar to each tricycle , boats etc.. South East State Governors should liaise with Ad-HOc staff to Build Equipped and Standard facilities with well trained and qualified personnel.
“Government Accountability. Health Stakeholders should Collaborate with CSOs to push for advocacy of accountability from the
government reminding them of their promises to the people in the health sector.
“While we continue to probe into deeper issues plaging the health sector across Africa, it’s important
to have these recommendations to guide health care access in South East, Nigeria. A state of
emergency needs to be declared, while chief executive officers of these states needs to focus on the health sector. In the end, we hope to see a more vibrant health sector that gives more accessibility,
and affordability.
” BudgIT and CODE seek to constantly advocate on these issues and hope to see changes at the subnational levels.”
