RSG Boosts Health Care Delivery

The Rivers State Government has opened-up the healthcare sector to the world as part of its bid to ensure healthcare delivery to its citizenry.

The State Health Commissioner, Dr Sampson Parker disclosed this while speaking during the inauguration of the Rivers State Public Private Mix Directly Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) Steering Committee on Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Dr Parker explained that the decision to open up the health sector to the world was to ensure that the best hands in medicare are recruited to provide quality health care delivery to the Rivers people irrespective of their nationality, state or creed.

He disclosed that although the State Tuberculosis and leprosy control programme has recorded tremendous achievements, the targets set by the national programme of detecting 70 per cent of the smear-positive cases and treating at least 85 per cent of them can only be achieved if all healthcare providers in TB control at all levels are well coordinated.

The Health boss further stated that reducing the prevalence and mortality rate of Tuberculosis by the year 2015 as part of the Millennium Development Goals will only be achieved if all DOTS centres are effectively managed by the health care providers.

Earlier, Dr Michael Jose, the Zonal World Health Organisation (WHO) Coordinator commended the Rivers State Government for its commitments in provision of health services that are pro-poor and targeted at the vulnerable and neglected in the society.

According to him, Nigeria has the highest TB burden in Africa and the 4th amongst the highest, worldwide.

The terms of reference given to the committee, include; to provide strategic and policy recommendation on public private mix DOTS implementation to the State tuberculosis and leprosy control programme in line with the national programs, and to identify roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders towards a successful PPM DOTS implementation in the State.

Others are to support the State Tuberculosis/Leprosy Control Programme in the coordination of implementation of PPM DOTS, to carryout advocacy to policy makers for smooth implementation of PPM DOTS as well as to periodically review strategic plan of PPM DOTS implementation in the State, identify challenges and proffer solution to the State Tuberculosis/Leprosy Control Programme.