Gov’s Aide Seeks Accurate Medical Records

Medical Doctors posted to the primary health-care centres in the local government areas of Rivers State have been urged to submit accurate and consistent data to aid government in policy formulation.

The Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Medical Statistics, Dr Tariah Lawson, who gave the advice during the 2012 annual review meeting of the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, stressed the need for medical practitioners to generate actual records that reflect what happens in their various health centres.

Dr Lawson noted that poor data quality and handling compromise the ability of the government to make informed decisions and advised the board to set up data review processes in the local government areas, increase supportive supervision and ensure that doctors verify every data that they sign off to avoid misleading information.

Earlier, chairman of the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr Uriah S. Etawu warned that stiff disciplinary measures would be taken against lateness to work and absenteeism.

Dr Etawu also warned that disciplinary measures would be taken against health centres that do not operate functional bank accounts, stating that doctors of such health facilities who fail to comply to the financial regulations before the end of February would be suspended by the board.

The Executive Secretary to the board, Dr Claribel Abum, urged doctors in the state to be proactive and improve themselves in their various capacities and revealed that the department of planning, research and statistic of the board would in the coming weeks carryout training programmes to tutor the doctors on data collection and collation processes as obtained around the world.