Health, Top Priority Of Fubara’s Govt-Odu

The Rivers State Government says issues of health challenges facing the citizenry shall be brought to the front burner and tackled holistically for the benefit of all Rivers people.
Rivers State Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu disclosed this during the Second Round Maternal, New Born and Child Health Week 2023 Flag Off at His Majesty King Jaja of Opobo Hall, Opobo Town, last Friday.
The Deputy Governor, in a statement by Head of Press, Deputy Governor’s Office, Owupele Benebo, said health was one of the top most priorities in the agenda of Governor Siminilayi Fubara.
She noted that immunisation, which is free of charge, remains one of the most cost effective means of preventing and reducing morbidity and mortality rate of pregnant women, mothers and children, adding that Rivers people should count themselves lucky to have the opportunity to get all these free services and free facilities.
”I charge parents and caregivers to endeavour to immunise their children against childhood killer diseases by visiting health facilities across the 23 Local Government Areas”. Prof. Odu further stressed.
The deputy governor commended the leadership of the State Ministry of Health, Primary Healthcare Management Board and development partners UNICEF, CHAI, MSI, WHO and others for their continued support over the years which has helped to strengthen the health system in the State.
In her remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, said one of the cardinal points of the Governor Fubara led Administration in the health sector is the fact that no woman or child should die during pregnancy or child birth, noting that the birth of a new born resonates happiness in the family and the society.
According to her, the lives of all Rivers people are important whether pregnant or not and urged residents of the State to take advantage of the week-long programme by visiting any of the health centres within their environment.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr. Kinikanwo Green, said the issue of maternal health is important to development as a people, saying when the health of the mother and child is well attended to, it cumulates to a better society.
Green said one of the objectives of the programme was to reduce the devastating statistics of maternal and new born child health in the State.
In his goodwill message, the Chief Field Officer, UNICEF, Port Harcourt, Dr. Anselm Audu, commended the Rivers State Government’s commitment to children’s health and wellbeing, by sustaining the bi-annual Maternal New Born and Child Week in the State.
One of the beneficiaries of the programme, Mrs. Sokari Peters, expressed gratitude to the State Government for the initiative and and for making healthcare delivery accessible to them.