The Association of Resident Doctors University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, led by the President Dr EDIM EGOR, paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Ebonyi State, Dr. Ekuma Moses, at his office in Ochudo Centenary City, Abakaliki.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr EDIM EGOR, congratulated the Hon. Commissioner on his well deserved appointment and applauded his giant strides in the health sector, stating that the appointment is a testament to his hard work and unwavering commitment to promoting the highest standard of excellent health care delivery, not only in Ebonyi State, but the nation at large. He described Dr. Ekuma Moses as an astute Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, an erudite teacher and mentor whose sterling leadership qualities contributed immensely to the growth and development of ARD-UCTH.
Dr Ogar Emmanuel Idoko, General Secretary, ARD-UCTH in his statement added that, Dr. Edim also thanked the Governor, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for not making any mistake in appointing Dr Ekuma Moses (M.B.B.S, FWACS. FMCOG) as his commissioner for health and lauded his People’s Charter of Needs mantra and the pet Project of the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Mary Mauldline Nwifuru, Better Health for Ebonyi Women, Children And Vulnerable (BERWO) which have brought so much innovations to the health sector as evidenced by the following achievements within seven months in office as Governor. worthy of mention are the following:
Massive recruitment of health workers
Provision of incentives such as brand new sport utility vehicles and motorcycles to provide health services in hard to reach areas of the state
Approval of N150,000 grant for fueling of the SUVs
Implementation of revised CONMESS salary structure
Payment of rural allowance to doctors
Renovation of health facilities and provision of modern medical equipment
Dr. EDIM used the occasion to call on all leaders in the country to emulate what is being done in Ebonyi State to address the ongoing epidemic of brain drain in the health sector across the country.
Dr. EDIM EGOR also presented issues bothering on the welfare of members of the association to the Hon. Commissioner for Health.
Responding, the Hon. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekuma Moses, who was palpably delighted, warmly welcomed the leadership of the association and thanked them for having traveled all the way from Calabar, Cross River State to visit him in Abakaliki, Ebonyi.
He thanked the Governor, His Excellency Rt Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and his dear wife Mrs. Mary Maudline Nwifuru for giving him the opportunity to serve as Commissioner for Health under their tutelage.
Dr. Ekuma, added that the Governor and his wife have special interests in the health sector knowing that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. He hinted that in addition to the the aforementioned achievements in the health sector, the Governor has also approved the establishment of Drugs and Medical Commodity Management Agency which has been signed into law to enable central procurement and distribution of high quality drugs and medical consumables to health facilities at affordable prices. He also said that state workers have been enrolled into health insurance scheme to avoid delays in accessing healthcare services.
On issues bothering on welfare of members of the association, he promised to look into them with a view of providing the necessary assistance in some areas when able.
The high point of the visit was presentation of award of excellence in recognition of the giant strides in the health sector to the Hon. Commissioner for Health by the President of ARD-UCTH.
In attendance were: the Chief Executive, Hospital Management Board (SHMB), Dr. Nwali James; the Director Public Health, Dr. Hyacinth Ebenyi; the Director Planning Research and Statistics (DPRS), Mrs. Rufina Ugwuoke; the Deputy Director Administration, Mr. Emmanuel Ekechi and the Coordinator, Maternal and Child Health (MNCH), Mrs. Patricia Nwankwegu and other stakeholders in the health sector as far as Ebonyi State is concerned.
We look forward to leveraging this partnership to further improve healthcare accessibility and quality for the benefit of humanity.