Enugu Provides Facilities In 60 Health Institutions

Dr Moses Otiji, the Permanent Secretary in the Enugu State Ministry of Health, says no fewer than 60 primary health institutions will be provided with equipment and drugs.

Otiji, a discussant at a media-Civil Society Organisations(CSOs) public dialogue held on Tuesday in Enugu, said the initiative would be carried out before the end of the first quarter of 2011.

He said electricity, adequate water supply as well as security posts would be provided in primary health institutions in rural areas.

“The problem in our health sector is attitudinal; some people do not like to go to work there but they want to be paid.

“Government will soon inaugurate a joint monitoring team with the Local Government Service Commission and other stakeholders to monitor attendance,’’ he added.

Otiji frowned at the alleged report of sale of leprosy drugs to patients, saying it would be properly investigated and culprits severely punished.

He said government had set up a public-private-partnership on health programmes to provide a level playing field for other CSOs to be involved in the provision of healthcare.

“Government will also inaugurate a Community Health Facility Committee that will manage primary healthcare centres with a view to ensuring efficient healthcare delivery,’’ Otiji said.

Mr Martin Ilo, Secretary to Enugu State government, commended the organisers of the dialogue, saying it would provide opportunity for government to obtain feedback..

Mrs Dorcas Edeani, Enugu State Team Leader, Partnership for Transformation of Health System (PATHS 2), said the dialogue was to enable communities to share their experiences in accessing healthcare services in rural areas.

One of the participants, Godwin Ogenyi, called on government not to pay indolent workers while another participant, Ben Muotoanya, called for attitudinal change by stakeholders.

Participants at the forum which had as theme, “The Health of Our People- A collective Responsibility,’’ were drawn from the media, CSOs, civil service as well as traditional institution.

The event was supported by PATHS 2 and was expected to strengthen accountability, transparency and responsiveness to healthcare toward achieving the MDGs.