The Akwa Ibom State Government has reiterated its commitment to robust primary healthcare development, announcing plans to recruit over 1,000 personnel into the sector, even as it partners with Rotary International on eradicating infant mortality in the state.
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| Executive Secretary, AKSPHCDA, Dr Eno Attah |
The Executive Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Eno Attah, disclosed the recruitment plan in Uyo on Thursday when a delegation from Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge (RHCC), led by Dr. Dele Balogun, paid her a courtesy visit.
Attah, who praised Governor Umo Eno’s passion for healthcare through his ARISE Agenda, said the state was fortunate to have a leader who is “putting money where it matters,” citing the construction of modern health facilities and the transition of health posts into Level Two facilities.
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| RHCC Country Lead, Dr Dele Balogun |
She expressed delight that Akwa Ibom was selected as one of the two pilot states for the Rotary scheme, promising full collaboration. “We have an open-door policy because anything that is for the benefit of the state and its citizens is readily welcomed. We promise to work together with you to achieve the aim of the program,” she assured.
In his remarks, the RHCC Country Lead, Dr. Dele Balogun, who had earlier led his team to Ibesikpo Asutan primary health center, Nung Udoe, outlined the project’s scope, highlighting that community volunteers had been trained to manage malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia in five wards across local government areas with the highest disease prevalence. He assured that testing and treatment would be free, with severe cases referred to primary health facilities.
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| Team from Rotary International and PATH |
“We are here to ensure that children under five do not die from diseases that are easily diagnosed and treatable,” Dr. Balogun stated. “We will be going door-to-door, educating households on how to prevent malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia. These diseases should not claim the lives of our children any longer.”
He stated, “We are here because of our success in eradicating polio across Nigeria, Africa, and much of the world. Now, we aim to tackle malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea—three diseases that disproportionately affect children under five, who are the most vulnerable.”
He explained that the pilot project will begin in six local government areas in Akwa Ibom and Kebbi States, selected based on federal government data.
Dr. Balogun also highlighted the importance of strengthening the primary healthcare system and improving data collection to manage the expected increase in visitors to health centers, adding that households in the targeted wards have been marked and numbered to facilitate volunteer supervision.
He assured that testing and treatment for children who test positive would be provided free of charge, with trained volunteers carrying test kits and medications. He urged traditional leaders to support the programme for its successful implementation.
Earlier, at the Nung Udoe Primary Health Centre, the Country Representative of implementing partners PATH, Dr. Diri, explained that five persons from each of the five selected wards in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA have been trained and equipped to carry out tests and provide free drugs for fever, pneumonia, and diarrhoea, all provided by Rotary International and the Gates Foundation.
Speaking on behalf of village heads and villagers, Eteidung Hillary Essien thanked Rotary for selecting Ibesikpo Asutan as a beneficiary and promised to ensure accurate information is disseminated to ensure the program’s success. The initiative marks a significant public-private partnership aimed directly at reducing infant mortality and strengthening grassroots healthcare structures in the state.
@Ifiok Itiaba
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