News
UFMS Unrealistic -RSG
The Rivers State Government has said that it will not implement any unrealistic policy such as the Universal Free Medical Service (UFMS) embarked upon by the previous administration because of its lean finances, and the discriminatory nature of the programme.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Theophilus Odagme, said this during an interactive session with journalists as part the roundtable organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) on the way forward in implementing the project on “Healthcare In Danger In South-South” in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Odagme added: “The Universal Free Medical Programme embarked upon by the past government was not a realistic goal; it had a lot of political undertones. I say this with all sense of humility and honesty.”
The commissioner emphasized that “Before the last government, we had a free medical service that the government between 1999 and 2007 embarked upon, which covered four groups: Pregnant women, children under five years of age due to high prevalence of childhood killer diseases in this age group, the elderly (60 years and above), the physically-challenged as well as families of legionnaires, among others.
“But when the past government came on board in 2007, rather than continue with this programme predicated on the vulnerable groups, it started a universal free medical service, which was challenged by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) as unrealistic since healthcare cannot be funded solely by government,” Odagme noted.
The commissioner recalled that “the last time free medical service was paid for by the Rivers State Government was in December, 2013”, adding that “from 2014 to May 29, 2015, no free medical service provided by either government personnel or private clinics was paid for. So, it has died natural death because it is not practicable”.
He stressed that “the Governor Nyesom Wike-led government can only take care of some groups, and not a universal free medical service, where everyone that is ill would depend on government, and after few months, it would crash due to limited resources from the state”.
The health commissioner pointed out that: “We are at a very unique time in our state’s history. During the last administration, we had such a unique economic situation in the state because there was so much money for government to implement various projects and initiate phantom policies. But because of the few resources in the state, and the nation at large, we cannot do universal free medical service.
“Although, there would be some kind of free medical programme for some vulnerable groups, this does not imply that this government has neglected free medical service. This government cannot operate at that level of universal free medical care, which is an unrealistic policy,” he emphasised.
Odagme said that the government was “at the moment doing what we call damage control, as a lot of damage was done to the system by the free medical care policy of the last administration” adding that both secondary and tertiary healthcare services were abandoned by the last administration.
“The only thing that was attended to was the primary healthcare, which was not enough. A number of the primary healthcare centres built were not equipped, and even when they were equipped, they were not well-structured to function optimally,” he added.
He noted that the interactive health forum organized by ICRC to chart the way forward on “healthcare in danger”, especially in Rivers State, was apt and timely, given the destructive impact of the last administration’s health policy, and restated the Rivers State Government’s commitment to work with the international humanitarian organization to find lasting solution to the challenges facing efficient and effective healthcare delivery in the state.
Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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