‘Rivers Healthcare Delivery Now Above National Average’

The recent efforts in revamping health care delivery in Rivers State, by the Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration have put the state above the national average.
Speaking at State Health Care Summit tagged:” Repositioning Health Care Services in Rivers State” Tuesday in Port Harcourt Dr. Ibrahim Wada, a gynaecologist noted that over the years budgetary allocation had transformed the sector.
Dr. Wada stated that health infrastructure built over the years had put Rivers State high above other states in health care
“ Rivers State has shown the right path of using money to save the lives of its people” Wada said.
Wada listed the Cardiovascular and Cancer Centre, Mother and Child Hospital, including the zonal and general hositpals built and rehabilitated as major improvements in health care delivery.
The health expert who was the pioneer Medical Director of Garki Hospital in Abuja, while enjoining federal and state authorities to emulate the Rivers State, stressed the need to be consistent with the policy.
Proffering measures to the rising brain drains in the sector, Wada suggested need to  improve welfare of health workers.
Recommending a formula to check the menace of brain drain Wada said, “ we must integrate primary, secondary and tertiary health care system together with community health care.”
This he believes will provide the momentum for a synergy that will drive the nation’s health care system.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Rivers State Health Summit, Dr. Chijioke Mandah said the summit which was a build up from the Health Town Hall Meeting organised by the Wike administration was geared towards strengthening health care research, indigenous health products and engender collaborations among stakeholders in the sector.

By: Kevin Nengia