A delegation from the National Primary Healthcare today met with the government of Abia State.
The leader of the delegation, the Executive Secretary Directorate of Health, who was represented by the Deputy Director of Logistics, Pharmacist Ekpeme Chineye Uzor in her address says that on behalf of the NPDA they are in the State to see how they can revive their routine immunization. Saying that while they thought they had achieved 98 percent coverage, it came as a shock to them as a survey showed they stands at 33 percent coverage.
So a state of emergency had been declared in the public health in the country and came to see how the state government would assist in that direction.
Also saying that, they have come to note that the major problem is the non-availability of vaccine at the lowest level. To over come the challenge, Gavi have come up with a COLD CHAIN EQUIPMENT delivery system that will not only get the vaccines to the grassroots, but will also safeguard it because it does not allow the freezing of the vaccine.
She then informed the Deputy Governor that plans are concluded, in this first tranche to deliver and install 238 of these equipments across the already identified Health facilities in the State by the middle of next month. After which, the remaining 19 will be delivered in the second tranche that will start at the end of second quarter of 2020.
Onome Osadolor who is the….in her presentation further explained that the MOU to be signed with the State Government would explain what is the counterpart role of the State.Plans are concluded to commence the process of deployment and installation of the first tranche of the equipments be 14th November across the health centers in the state.
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Abia Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu on behalf of the Governor and people of the State welcomed the team to the State, and thanked them for what they are doing not just in the State, but the country at large noting that without their intervention that healthcare in the country would have been in serious jeopardy. The Deputy Governor therefore assured the team that the State Government will cooperate with them and abide by the content of the MOU to be signed which is expected to support as well as facilitate the realization of the objectives in the healthcare sector. He went further to inform the team that the Governor places high premium on issues concerning health in the State.
He however asked the team to also make sure that everybody involved in the chain is tutored as well even down to the traditional rulers who will also be coopted to ensure safety of the equipments in their domains.
He then promised them that the government will ensure that the State get the best out of the programme. Therefore, they should count the State in as the programme would help her in meeting the health needs of the people.
The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Osuji and other top government officials were present during the visit.
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