By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno has advocated for the revitalization of the Primary Healthcare System to complement the laudable investments in the health sector by Governor Udom Emmanuel.
The Commissioner made the advocacy at the flag-off of the 2021 Physician’s Week with the theme: “Nigeria in the COVID Era and beyond: Health Systems Strengthening for National Security and Prosperity”, in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.Â
Pastor Umo Eno who was one of the panelists on the occasion focused his discourse on “Strengthening Health Systems through Rural Investments,” stressing that there is need for strategic investments in the primary healthcare system to meet the needs of the rural dwellers.
He commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for his investments in the health sector, adding that a public – private synergy to revitalise the primary health system will greatly complement the Governor’s efforts.
Pst Eno maintained that the NMA as a body or individual members could partner with government for more investments in the health sector, especially in the rural areas.
The Commissioner explained that it could be challenging for those in the interior villages to access healthcare especially in times of emergency, and called for private sector participation for more investments in rural health care delivery.
According to him, “I think there is a little gap that we have to look at and try to see how we can fill it, to make health services more available to the rural areas, so that people in the villages can access healthcare around them.Â
“I remember in those days, we used to have dispensaries or so, that made healthcare services available to rural people. It is not just about government alone, but the private sector can partner with government to ensure that people get medical attention at a closer distance. That would also help to strengthen the system and bridge the gap. Our Governor is investing a lot in the health sector, but government alone cannot do it, there is need for private sector partnership.
“These are areas that need advocacies, and beyond that, we can also strengthen the health system by looking at the way our people get food in the rural areas,” he said.
Pastor Umo Eno who is an accomplished entrepreneur with major landmarks in the hospitality industry said it was also important to look at preventive approaches to healthcare by ensuring availability and consumption of nutritious food.
He stressed that good food was very essential for healthy living, adding; “because no matter the medicine you prescribe, it cannot be taken without food; and you always advise patients to take medicine before or after meals.”
The Commissioner reiterated the position of the Keyenote Speaker, Dr. Bryant Chukwueloka Orjiako who noted that the hunger virus in Nigeria is much more than the Corona Virus, adding that there is need to encourage people to return to agriculture.
He maintained that the Governor Udom Emmanuel led administration is very committed to investments in agriculture and has initiated different programmes to encourage young people to embrace farming.
In his words; “So in strengthening the health system, we need to talk to our young people to return to the farms. Let us be able to produce the food we eat and have nutritious food like the vitamin A garri and maize which we are currently producing in Akwa Ibom State. If the prices of food become readily affordable, there are some sicknesses that we would not be talking about going to the hospital.”
Pastor Umo Eno commended the organisers of the event, and all the doctors for their continuous sacrifices in saving lives, and encouraged them not to give up on their enlightenment programmes but rather, to extend them to the rural areas.
High point of the event was the presentation of Special Recognition Award to Pastor Eno for donating PPEs to the NMA in the early days of covid 19 to assist both the doctors and patients in the state.
Presenting the award to the Commissioner, the NMA President, Dr. Innocent Achanya Otobo commended the Pastor Umo Eno for always assisting the body and prayed for God to reward him accordingly.
