• Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Agency lauds USAID-funded development partners for accessible healthcare in A/Ibom

USAID

Akwa Ibom State Primary Healthcare Development Agency has lauded USAID-funded development partners for the collaboration in providing quality and accessible health care services to the people.

Martin Akpan, a medical doctor and chairman of the agency who made the commendation when the partners paid him an advocacy visit expressed the delight over the collaboration which he said has made healthcare services affordable to the people.

He commended Governor Udom Emmanuel, for ‘a revolutionary stride in establishing the agency,’ which he said has helped in the provision of 80% healthcare services to Akwa Ibom people.

He applauded the partners which include Sustaining Health Outcomes through the Private Sector (SHOPS Plus) Global Health Supply Chain and Breakthrough Action Nigeria amongst others for the partnership and called for the expansion of the reach of their intervention in the state.

He expressed the readiness of the agency to engage with the partners to ensure accessible healthcare for the citizens.

Akpan maintained that Governor Emmanuel as a visionary leader clearly understands the importance of Primary Health Care hence his willingness in setting up the agency.

He disclosed that as evidence of the governor’s vowed commitment to ensuring the success of the agency, he has sent a letter of expression of interest to the Federal Ministry of Health as well as given approval for the requisite commitment fee to enable the agency access the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.

He said the agency was working to strengthen the Local Government Health Authorities, Ward Development Committees as well as revitalization of the Primary Healthcare facilities in the state.

Earlier, the leader of the team, Bassey Nsa, who is also the Akwa Ibom State Co-ordinator of Breakthrough Action Nigeria restated the commitment of the partners in intervening in the area of Family Planning and Malaria Control.

While commending the agency for the partnership in the selected areas to improve the health needs of the people, he appealed for the recruitment/training of more Primary Healthcare workers and strengthening of Ward Development Committees.

He also used the opportunity to present some advocacy materials to the agency.

ANIEEFIOK UDONQUAK, Uyo