Anambra moves to revamp Gen hospitals, to run exchange programmes with UK

EFFORTS by Dr. Willie Obiano to advance status of the health sector in Anambra State is yielding fruits following the revelation that government is set to initiate exchange program for high level manpower with United Kingdom.

 The State Commissioner for health, Dr Joe Akabuike made the disclosure while briefing newsmen in his office, Awka yesterday after a marathon meeting of all heads of general hospitals across the state aimed at revamping the hospitals.

 Dr Akabuike explained that the health sector remains topmost priority on Governor Obiano’s development policy aimed at realizing the Millennium Development Goods (MDG), adding, “We are here to address problems of all General hospitals… with the hope of making them function maximally and delivering the expected results.

 “The problems of our hospitals vary, when we have visited all the health institutions, we then address such specific problems. I know we need more doctors, nurses etc. to make the healthcare delivery system work very well”, adding that whatever remains would be looked into.

 He explained that Anambra hospitals are not for profit making, but humanitarian purpose, arguing that the hospital management should generate some funds to ensure they function regularly.

 The commissioner praised Governor Obiano for signing the Anambra Primary Healthcare Development Agency bill into law, which he said has made it possible to establish the Board that brings the management of all PHC centers under one roof, adding that, “There is training and retraining, plans to encourage exchange training program with United Kingdom and continuous medical education programs.

  “Government has concluded arrangement for special incentives for hospital staff posted to riverrine communities, welfare for the housemasters, midwives among others”, as he observed that the number of hospital staff presently especially doctors are not enough and some have retired.

 Also speaking to the Guardian, the hospitals Administrator, Dr. Emmanuel A, Akpati said the hospital management board has intensified activities to ensure that every staff not only attends to duty but remains in his or her duty post.

  He pointed out that government is addressing issue of welfare while efforts are made to ensure the smooth running of all hospitals, especially the state of laboratory, availability and dispention of drugs, infrastructure etc.

 In his remark, the Chief Medical Director, Umunze General hospital, Dr. Okoh H, Ikechukwu said the meeting would go a long way to advance and reposition all the hospitals, just as he commended Governor Obiano for providing basic infracture like hospital wards, mortuary, borehole etc.

  While promising that the Governor Obiano administration has assured to improve the general health condition of Anambra citizens, he called for the increase of manpower to help the hospital meet with its current demands in services.