Members of the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services have lauded various strides of Governor Alex Otti in the Healthcare sector, describing the feats achieved as unprecedented.
The House Committee Chairman on Healthcare Services, Hon. Dr. Amos Gwamna Magaji made their assessment known on Tuesday, January 28th, when members of the committee paid a working visit to Governor Alex Otti in his office as part of their oversight functions in the State.
Hon. Magaji, who disclosed that they are in Abia for an oversight function on how the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund works in the State.
“We are here because of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund. As we stand here, sir, we have been to over 30 States of Nigeria, going around to ensure that the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund works.
“There was high demand that the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund should move from 1% concentration fund to 2%. And we decided that if that would be the case, we want to know if it is working or it’s not working.
“This is why we are here, Your Excellency, and what we have seen in the State, not just in the Healthcare sector, but in other sectors that strengthen healthcare. The geometric power in Aba is another thing that will turn this country, not just Abia State, into an industrial hub. “Hon. Magaji stated.
He praised Governor Otti for changing the narratives in the State, affirming that, the Governor has performed credibly well, even beyond the healthcare sector, to sanitation, road infrastructure, power among others.
“Your Excellency, since we came here, it has been one story of success to another. And, as we went around, the town is very, very clean. Your Excellency, for many years now, we used to know Abia State as one of the dirtiest States in Nigeria.
“Your Excellency, when I was looking at the State and the transformation that has happened, a scripture just dropped in my heart, and that is First Kings chapter 10.
“There was a renowned woman in the Bible called the Queen of Sheba. She heard about the excellence of King Solomon and decided that she was going to test him and let her see for herself. She saw that there was excellence…
“She also said that half of what she was told was not up to half of what she saw with her eyes. Your Excellency, this is what we have seen here”
“When we heard about what is taking place in Abia State, we are proud, Sir. With the system of governance, with the excellence that you are demonstrating, we say thank you, sir.
“And I can say, Sir, that Abia State is one of the great success stories we are hearing – the “Project Ekwueme is something very lovable.
The Federal lawmaker, who regretted that Nigeria currently is the highest in maternal mortality, recording over 1,000 deaths, in 100,000 births, appreciated Governor Otti for the serious attention he is giving to healthcare in the State, and noted that the maternal mortality rate in the State in the last 10 years has crashed down.
“We thank Your Excellency for the effort you are making. The revitalisation of the maternal healthcare centres, the strengthening of specialist hospitals, the one in Umuahia, and also the recent accreditation of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital.
“It’s something to be proud of. We are grateful for what you have done. Your commitment to increase the budget for health. The 2001 Abuja Declaration states that the budget for health should not be less than 15%” Hon. Magaji .
Receiving his guests, Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti said that his view about healthcare is that it is a social infrastructure that must be attended to, saying that he wants a healthcare facility that should produce 100 percent result.
“So, healthcare, from our own point of view, is a social infrastructure, just like building roads.
“I want a situation where somebody walks into a primary healthcare centre, with 100% chances of survival, if he has a problem. And until I have it at 100%, I will not stop.
“And that is why we are also doing everything possible. Because it is one thing to build very functional hospitals. And a different thing, to get healthcare professionals.
“So, some of the primary healthcare centres that we have completed, I insist that we cannot functionalise them until we have the right people.
Governor Otti said that a lot of people do not know about the Abuja Declaration of 2001, which recommends allocating at least, 15 percent of the government’s annual budget to health.
“And that was the basis of allocating no less than 15% of the budget to healthcare. I have always held the view that when people look at healthcare financing as investment, they miss the point.
“I would rather continue to call it healthcare expenditure rather than healthcare investment. Because, any time you talk about investment, the next thing to think about is to get a return.
“Interestingly, we are getting the right responses. Because I think in the last recruitment exercise, we’ve had doctors resume from the U.S., from South Africa, and places where they are asking for further work, Gov. Otti added.
Governor Otti disclosed that among the recently recruited healthcare workers in the State is a neurosurgeon who joined the health workforce of the State from New York.
Dr. Otti explained that it is about having the right environment for people to do their work well.
“You want a place where you can sleep and wake up and turn on the tap and water runs. And nobody harasses you on the road, kidnaps your wife or your daughter, or your sister. You want a place where you want to go to school and find a good school to go to” Gov. Otti stated.
Earlier, the Chairman, Abia State House Committee on Health, Hon. Emeka Jacob Obioma and Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, while introducing the national lawmakers and the essence of their visit highlighted various achievements of Governor Alex Otti in the Healthcare sector and thanked the Governor for changing the narratives in healthcare delivery in Abia State.
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The Chief of staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D, Special Advisers on Health and Legislative Matters, DG Strategic Communication Bureau, and heads of State-owned health institutions and agencies were present during the visit.
