Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
A health financing expert, Ms Chidinma Eneze, has called on the Ebonyi State Government to step up funding to the Health Sector so as to ensure increased access to healthcare services for citizens.
Ms Eneze made the call during a two-day media engagement on increased Media coverage on RMNCH+NM information, stories and issues held in Abakaliki.
Ms Eneze, who is also the Acting State Technical Director for the USAID Integrated Health Policy (IHP) program in Ebonyi State, emphasised that increased and consistent funding of primary health facilities would translate to increased access to services by healthcare service seekers overtime.
While maintaining that increased investment in the health of citizens would result in decline in maternal mortality and morbidity, Ms Eneze encouraged the Government and its agencies to prioritise the sector going forward in order to secure a more healthy society.
“If the Government is doing all they are supposed to do, we wouldn’t be here; the Government can do more. Most people are still struggling to access health care; there is serious under-prioritisation of health by the State Government.”
The Knowledge Management Specialist, USAID-IHP, Mr. Uchenna Anoke, encouraged Journalists to scale up coverage of basic healthcare provision fund implementation and other health-related activities to unravel the level of compliance to their original intents.
The Desk Officer, Ebonyi State Basic Health Care Provision Fund, Dr. Leonard Alegu who spoke on behalf of the Executive Secretary EBSPHCDA Dr Chihurumnanya Alo, identified knowledge gaps of heads of Primary Health Care Providers as a snag in accessibility of quality health care services in the State.
In a remark, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ebonyi State Council, Comrade Tony Nwizi represented by Dr. Boniface Nwankwo, assured that Journalists would henceforth keep activities of healthcare Providers in the Primary Health Care Centres in proper checks through independent and investigative journalism.
