The coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has rated Akwa Ibom State high in health sector reforms, noting that the huge investment in healthcare has positioned the state as an emerging hub for medical tourism.
The minister made the declaration during his working visit to the state to commission health facilities including a Medical Oxygen Production Plant at Ituk Mbang, in Uruan local government area; a Model Primary Health Centre at Wellington Bassey Way, and the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (AKISEMSAS), in Uyo, the state capital.
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Commissioning, the projects, Prof. Pate applauded the governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for his bold initiatives to rebrand healthcare delivery at the primary level, thereby bringing basic healthcare services closer to the people.
He described the strides as outstanding and in alignment with the healthcare vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I will love to say that today, just the few hours of my visit to Akwa Ibom State, has been one of the best few hours I have spent in my life, for the simple reason that I have seen here a government that is for the people, working for the people and working with the people in such a unified manner that addresses the cogent needs of the population.
With what we have seen, it means that the security of the lives of the people is a lot better with this government.
“From the Federal Government, we are very committed to the direction of President Tinubu, in building a healthcare system that will serve the needs of all Nigerians, and this system would only manifest if there is synergy in what we are doing and what you are also doing.
“The Federal Government is poised to invest more in the health sector. Like in the Project Hope, which you will be part of, there is an indicator linked to the emergency services, so AKISEMSAS will have incentives for what you are doing, which will be granted by the Federal Government to support what you are doing,” he assured.
Responding, Pastor Eno explained that the installation of the Oxygen Production Plant followed sad incidences where lives were lost due to the non-availability of oxygen in hospitals. He said that the move was part of his government’s effort to avert such tragedies and ensure access to critical healthcare needs in the state.
While expressing appreciation to the coordinating minister of health for accepting to visit to inaugurate the projects, Governor Eno called for deeper collaborations and partnership with the federal government, assuring that his administration was ready for such partnership that would further improve the state’s health sector.
In addition to building healthcare facilities, Governor Eno revealed that his administration has introduced health insurance schemes to ensure affordability for residents. He urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure the success of these initiatives for the welfare of residents.
The commissioner for Health, Dr Emmanuel John, explained that the oxygen production plant has three compressors, each with the capacity of producing 50 cylinders of oxygen per day and, at the moment, producing 120 cylinders daily.
He noted that the 30 new ambulances were well-equipped for emergency medical services, adding that two of the ambulances were donated to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.
Dr John affirmed that the projects were a way for the administration to improve healthcare delivery and invest in people’s lives through huge investments in the health sector.