Board Charges Doctors On Professionalism

Doctors in Rivers State have been charged with the responsibility to deliver their duties effectively and with utmost professionalism.

The executive secretary of Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr Claribel Abam gave the charge today at an orientation meeting for newly employed doctors in Port Harcourt.

She urged the medical officers to see themselves as very important not only to the state health sector but to the society at large and also imbibe the spirit of teamwork as potential leaders in their health centres.

Dr Abam enjoined them to take their jobs seriously and shun absenteeism and truancy bearing in mind that as medical professionals they are saddled with the responsibility of saving lives, stating that “for us in the health sector, every minute counts”.

As managers of the primary health facilities in the state, Dr Abam enjoined them to cultivate the habit of exemplary leadership, learn to act fast as professionals and also have the ability to act decisively too in their various facilities.

The executive secretary stressed the need for them to champion the State government’s policy on health, which stipulates that primary healthcare be delivered to residents of the state free of charge.

Also speaking at the orientation exercise, Director Administration at the Board, Mrs. Ibaniba Itti-Briggs who quieted the medical officers through the public service rules said the reason was to acquaint them with the Boards’ policy and give them a firm orientation of the work ahead.

Director Medical Services at the Board, Dr Tanu Theophilus also gave an indepth lecture on the operational guidelines for primary healthcare facilities in the state which he said is to ensure that clinical services in all state owned primary health centres are efficiently run and this is achieved through adequate supportive supervision, he added.