By Chijindu Emeruwa.
The Abia State Gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Abia state for the coming 2023 general elections, Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, has promised to site general hospitals in every local government areas of the state when supported to emerge as governor
He said situating the general hospital which will be furnished with state of the art medical facilities in those Abia local areas, would less down huge expenses in traveling to other areas for medical treatment.
Ogah who was the immediate past Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, spoke while reeling out agendas in improving Abia healthcare delivery system.
According to him, his administration will also maintain a deliberate policy towards health practices and management within the state, pointing out that the reason is not farfetched.
“When the population is healthy, it leads to increased productivity and less down time which if not managed will ensure Abia state continues on its downward spiral of economic attrition”, Ogah added.
Continuing, the frontline Abia gubernatorial candidate also revealed that he has designed health system development project tilted at revamping primary health centres (,PHC) in way that health institutions under this category will be more equipped to address higher volumes of minimal health procedures on Abia people who dwell in villages.
“All Primary Health centres in Abia state will feel the impact of our health systems development so that Abians with health issues can get their healthcare at those PHC’s without first of all running to general hospitals or teaching hospitals,”Ogah explained.
He further promised to revive and reposition all specialist hospitals within the state and develop modern Infrastructure that will enable Abia citizens to feel its impact, and also position the state to become the healthcare management destination of choice in such a way that will reverse medical tourism and all those who may have certain ailments will travel to the state for their treatment and healing.
On his plan for Abia State University Teaching hospital in Aba, Dr Ogah also assured that the state-owned hospital shall be redeveloped to become a centre of excellence in medical practices, teaching and learning.
“There’s nothing my administration will not do to ensure the state’s teaching hospital becomes a reference point to excellence in medical education, “he further added.
Also continuing, the APC gubernatorial standard-bearer said, “a key policy Initiative of my administration in the health sector revolves around its human resources. Doctors, pharmacists, dentists, lab scientists, nurses, specialists in various medical arms and such other categorizations of staff who are discharging their responsibilities within the healthcare system owned by the state will have their welfare and wellbeing as utmost priority even ad yhe Health Management Board (HMB) will be repositioned and equipped to efficiently handle its responsibilities.
Ogah equally revealed he has already designed a unique health insurance policy which shall be fully implemented, and will especially see children, women and elders assessing regular health checks and treatment at minimal contributions by policy holders while antenatal care, delivery, postnatal care will be funded by government in order to sustain health management of the people in Abia state.
The APC gubernatorial ticket-bearer in Abia State concluded by saying, “through the grace of God and the mandate of our indefatigable Abians, we will deliver to Abians and Nigerians an enviable health system domiciled in Abia state which everyone will be proud to associate with”.
