(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/abia-300x192.jpg) The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu has called on States to have a consolidated special fund to tackle the numerous debilitating ailments that gulp millions of funds in order to assist the less privileged in the nation, since cases of serious medical conditions pose difficulties for average individuals.
While speaking at the commissioning of the multimillion dialysis centre of Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre in Umuahia, the Minister said that there is need for the government to enrol in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to make access to healthcare for majority of Abians affordable; adding that, if human beings insure cars, it makes it appropriate to insure human health.
Prof. Chukwu stressed that the project underscores the State's commitment to the provision of quality and affordable healthcare in alignment with the transformation agenda of the President Goodluck Jonathan's administration and congratulated the Governor, the Government and Abians in general for the the project he saw as "an excellent philanthropic effort translating to a quantum boost in excellent healthcare."
He expressed utmost happiness at the PPP arrangement with MECURE that has taken advantage of the GE Vision in the country; pointing out that the Governor deserves accolades as a man of vision with greater passion than medical practitioners. He however, urged him to put in the best to see that the Dialysis Centre does not only alleviate the suffering of kidney patients, but be the foremost diagnostic centre in the country.
Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister for Health cutting the tape to officially open the Dialysis centre of Abia state Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic centre in Umuahia. He is flanked by on his right by Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state, Bishop Ikechi Nwosu, Sir Emeka Ananaba, Deputy Governor, Ezeogo Anagha Ezikpe and Prof. Augustus Mbanaso, Chief Medical Director and on his left by Rt. Hon. Ude Okochukwu, Speaker Abia state house of Assembly and his deputy. While speaking, the Governor, Theodore Ahamefule Orji thanked all those who contributed to the profound and immense realization of his dream, especially Ezeogo Dr. Anagha Ezeikpe, who donated his former hospital to Government for the diagnostic project which has helped the country to save a whooping 200,000 Naira expended on Indian medical missions by Nigerians, as the diagnostic centre has brought India to Nigeria.
The Governor enumerated his achievements in the health sector since he came to office to include 250 Primary health centres (PHCS) in every political ward in the 17 LGAS; free maternal services for pregnant women; accreditation for posting of house officers at the Amachara Specialist Hospital; reconstruction of General hospital and the construction of the 100 bed wards in 9 LGAs; hospitals and enjoined the Federal government to take over the management of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) as has been done in Ebonyi State.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of the Diagnostic Centre in his opening address, reiterated that the project stands as an advancement in the health sector by the Governor to replicate his Howard University, Washington DC hospital vision in 2007, where investigations and diagnostic paraphernalia were domiciled at a place leading to the 7 brand new haemodialysis machines installed with all gadgets in operation.
The CMD however, maintained that the machines will filter/de-toxicate the kidney, restating that four of the dialysis machines will be for patients with kidney diseases without other chronic complications, while two will be especially for HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis patients respectively, with one left as spare to achieve standard practice of an all encompassing treatment.
In attendance were the High Commissioner to Canada, Amb. Ojo Maduekwe; the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Pilgrims Commission, Kennedy Opara; Acting Director of Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health; CMDs of FMC, Owerri, Dr. Angela Uwakwe and FMC, Uyo.
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The Health Minister is doing greatly right about now....I see changes in so many things ever since he took over from the former minister.