Women Storm Council, Demand Healthcare

Over 350 women from Ward three of Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday stormed the Oyigbo council with placards, demanding for the provision of primary healthcare in Egberu and Afam communities (the communities that make up the ward).

The placards, some of which read, “How many more pregnant women do you want to die?” Are we not part of Rivers State?” Equip our health centre now”, No doctor, no midwife, no bed, no drugs, is our own different?” among others.

The angry women poured out their emotions as they expressed their rights to good health and facilities.

The women, who forcefully gained entrance into the council after overpowering the security on duty main rushed into the council chanting songs that attracted the council’s workers and visitors who were at the council headquarters for the commissioning of police building near the council.

According to the protesting women,” Ebgeru Afam Ukwu and Afam Nta communities (ward three communities) have only one empty dilapidated health centre which has no doctor, no midwife, no drugs and other equipment/facilities.

“We only have few nurses that have nothing to work with and our pregnant women are dying due to lack of healthcare when other women in other areas of the state enjoy good primary healthcare.” Mrs Okere said.

She told The Tide that the councillor tried to rough handle the protesting women but for the intervention of Women Initiative for Transparency and Social Justice (WITSOJ) and some good policemen.

The crying women noted that the chairman, Hon. Felix Nwaeke did not even care to come and address his mothers, but sent his men who directed them to write another leter after serious commotion between the women and the council boys.

Speaking on the issue, the Co-ordinator of WITSOJ, Dr Jenifer Spiff frowned at the action of the council stating that it is the right of the women to access good primary healthcare.

She reiterated that the council received a letter inviting it for an interface between the council leaders and the community women, adding that the council chairman never cared to reply or send any delegate to answer his mothers.

Dr Spiff noted that the era of business as usual has gone adding that every leader must be held accountable for his actions and duties as directed by the governor of the state, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi.

She commended the women for fighting for their rights and also applauded the decision of the women not to relent until their goal of having a good and equipped health centre is achieved.

WITSOJ leader frowned at the threat of the Council Secretary, Mr Albert Okere and Councilor of ward three, Mr Samuel Nwankwo to some women from their communities, alleging that this is not a true spirit of democracy.