The Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on Wednesday, said his administration would continue to partner with stakeholders, organizations and establishments in the health sector to improve the health status of the people of the state.
Governor Ugwuanyi represented by his deputy, Her Excellency, Lolo Cecilia Ezeilo made the assertion when he received in audience the management team of the institute of child health, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla, in her office at Government
House, Enugu.
In his words “as a government, we have indeed previously expressed our
determination to transform Enugu State into a choice destination of medical treatment in Nigeria. And in pursuit of this vision, we have, among other things, commenced the construction of three new Specialist Hospitals to be located in the three senatorial zones of the state while intensifying efforts towards the completion and commissioning of an ultra-modern diagnostic centre. We are also ensuring the continuous upgrading and strengthening of existing health facilities and institutions in the state.”
He explained that in line with his administration’s health programmes and policies, government had introduced free maternal healthcare programme, specifically designed to reduce the infant mortality and improve the health status of children and the people.
The governor expressed the willingness of his administration to offer the institute the required assistance and support for it to enhance its operations and services towards improving the health status of the
people of the state.
Earlier in an address, the Director Institute of Child Health, UNTH Enugu and the leader of the team, Prof. Henrietta Uche Okafor, said that the institute which was established in 1976 with Dr. W. Kaine as its first Director, was set up to discharge certain functions in the area of research, training and re-training as well as service delivery on health issues and matters affecting the people.
In her words, “the research arm of the institute is currently carrying out several projects for the World Health Organization which includes the Rota Virus and Peadiatric Bacterial Meningitis Surveillance.
With respect to training, resident doctors in the field of Paediatrics, Public Health and Family Medicine do postings in the institute, in addition to Medical Students, Student Nurses and Midwives, Community Health Officers, Dieticians as well as health promotion services in the area of Immunization, Nutrition and Community Outreach programmes.”
Prof. Uche who commended and appreciated the laudable health programmes of the state government towards improving the health status of the people, especially women and children, appealed to it to avail the institute an opportunity of functional vehicles and repair the access road leading to the institute among other requests.
