HOUSE OF REP MEMBERS SCORE GOV. OTTI VERY HIGH ON HEALTH CARE SECTOR
HOUSE OF REP MEMBERS SCORE GOV. OTTI VERY HIGH ON HEALTH CARE SECTOR
HOUSE OF REP MEMBERS SCORE GOV. OTTI VERY HIGH ON HEALTH CARE SECTOR
David Maduako –Umuahia
Following the numerous achievements recorded by the Abia state governor Dr Alex Otti on health care sector which include the renovation and equipping of virtually all health care centres in the state , members of the federal House of Representatives committee on health care services have unanimously pronounced the state governor Dr . OTTI As a champion in the health care sector , describing what they saw on ground and the feats recorded as unprecedented.
A cross section of the House of Rep Members with the state governor Dr Alex Otti
The House Committee Chairman on Healthcare Services, Hon. Dr. Amos Gwamna Magaji stated this on Tuesday, January 28th, when members of the committee paid a working visit to Governor Alex Otti in his office as part of their oversight functions in the State.
Hon. Magaji disclosed that they are in Abia for an oversight function on how the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund works in the State saying
“We are here because of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund. As we stand here, sir, we have been to over 30 States of Nigeria, going around to ensure that the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund works” .
He stated further that apart from the health care sector, other sectors that strengthen health care services such as the Geometric power supply in Aba that has the propensity to turn not just Abia but the entire nation into an Industrial hub .
He praised Governor Otti for changing the narratives in the State, affirming that, the Governor has performed credibly well, even beyond the healthcare sector, to sanitation, road infrastructure, power among others.
The Federal lawmaker, regretted that Nigeria currently is the highest in maternal mortality, recording over 1,000 deaths, in 100,000 births, appreciated Governor Otti for the serious attention he is giving to healthcare in the State, and noted that the maternal mortality rate in the State in the last 10 years has crashed down.
Receiving his guests, Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti said his view about healthcare is that of a social infrastructure that must be attended to, saying that he wants a healthcare facility that should produce 100 percent result. .
Noting that healthcare to him is a social infrastructure, just like building roads.
He stated that he desire a situation where any body who walks into a primary healthcare centre, has 100% chances of survival . And until I have it at 100%, I will not stop.
He said
“And that is why we are also doing everything possible. Because it is one thing to build very functional hospitals. And a different thing, to get healthcare professionals.
Governor Otti said that a lot of people do not know about the Abuja Declaration of 2001, which recommends allocating at least, 15 percent of the government’s annual budget to health.
“And that was the basis of allocating no less than 15% of the budget to healthcare. I have always held the view that when people look at healthcare financing as investment, they miss the point.
He stated that would rather continue to call it healthcare expenditure rather than healthcare investment. Because, any time you talk about investment, the next thing to think about is to get a return.
Governor Otti disclosed that among the recently recruited healthcare workers in the State is a neurosurgeon who joined the health workforce of the State from New York.
Explaining that it is about having the right environment for people to do their work well.
Earlier, the Chairman, Abia State House Committee on Health, Hon. Emeka Jacob Obioma and Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, while introducing the national lawmakers and the essence of their visit highlighted various achievements of Governor Alex Otti in the Healthcare sector and thanked the Governor for changing the narratives in healthcare delivery in Abia State.
End .