South East Health professionals call for declaration of state of emergency on health in the region 

From Victor Duruamaku Owerri

Professionals in the medical field have called on  the governors of the  South Eastern states to declare a state of emergency on  health in  the region

According to the medical professionals, ” this call followed  the  poor and disturbing  state of the health facilities in the region”

At a two-day seminar held in Owerri, Imo State capital on ” setting the agenda for health care in the zone with interest in health sector accountability”

According to the professionals, ” engaging in meaningful dialogues and collaborative efforts are imperative to revolutionize South East healthcare system”

They further believed that ”  lack of access to the quality healthcare system and health sector accountability were jeopardising lives of the people leaving and working in the region”

Imo State Commissioner for Health,  Mr Success Prosper, representing the state Governor Hope Uzodimma, declared the seminar open  while Permanent Secretaries from all the southeastern states, Executive Secretaries from the Primary Health Care Centres in the region, the Chief Medical Directors of the Tertiary hospitals in the region, were in attendance

Also in attendance were Directors  of  Public Health Services in the southeastern region

However, the seminar was put together by BudgIT Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation.

The team leader of the  foundation, Iyanuolua Bolarinwa, noted  that leaders  in the region needed to invest more in the healthcare system

In a  communique issued at the end of the seminar, titled “Human Resource Management” the professionals noted that operators of the health sector  in the states must develop and implement a timely policy for

the recruitment and appointment of Health personnel focusing on not only numbers but on quality as well

“The State Governments should Improve and harmonize salary and remuneration structures for  Health workers”

The communique on the way to checkmate outbreak of an epidemic, suggested that the State Commissioners for Health should Establish infectious Disease Hospitals in all the senatorial zones with functional Modular Laboratories and Ambulance services.

“The State Senate and House of Reps should set up a committee to work with the State Epidemiologist in readiness for an epidemic at any time.

The States Ministry of Health through the Commissioner for Health should oversee the activities of agencies in the Health Sector.

In the communique, the participants at the seminar resolved that  State Governments should consider the involvement of CBOs, FBOs, and Development Partners using a Partnership Co-ordinating Forum.

According to the communique, the States  National Health Insurance Authority should make Provisions for Health Insurance schemes to formal, informal, and people living with disabilities.

The State Governments should make Provision for a good road network and transportation that is peculiar to each tricycle , boats etc.. South East State Governors should liaise with Ad-HOc staff to Build Equipped and Standard facilities with well-trained and qualified personnel.

” Government Accountability. Health Stakeholders should Collaborate with CSOs to push for advocacy of accountability from the government reminding them of their promises to the people in the health sector.

“While we continue to probe into deeper issues plaguing the health sector across Africa, it’s important to have these recommendations guide health care access in South East, Nigeria. A state of emergency needs to be declared, while chief executive officers of these states need to focus on the health sector. In the end, we hope to see a more vibrant health sector that gives more accessibility, and affordability.

” BudgIT and CODE seek to constantly advocate on these issues and hope to see changes at the subnational