It has often been said that “health is wealth.” in cognizance of this, the Chairman of Ika South Local Government Area, Hon (Barr.) Victor Okoh alongside the Chairman, Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. (Mrs.) Isioma Okobah during the week embarked on a health assessment tour round Health Care Centers in Ika South.
The assessment tour which was carried out in harmony with the Health to all Deltans agenda of the State Governor was to ascertain the state of facilities in various health care centers at grassroots level and find ways of improving them.
Speaking to Newsmen, Hon. Okoh said that the inspection is aimed at looking for ways to effectively put the facilities in the health centers into use to the benefit of the masses at the grassroots, stating that he is determined to improve the health care system in the local government, in accordance with the SMART agenda of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
He noted that his people are desirous of good health care, hence his passion, and he is determined to see that quality health care is delivered to them. He charged the people to key into health care schemes made available to them by the State government, as well as the 05 Initiative, saying that it is free.
At one of the Health Care Centers visited, Hon. Okoh promised to expand the facilities in terms of infrastructure and human capacity in other to accommodate more wards.
On her part, Dr. (Mrs.) Isioma Okobah who also doubles as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on E – Health, said the health assessment need carried out in conjunction with the Chairman of the Local Government is to ascertain the needs of every Health Care Centers in terms of infrastructure, human resources, drugs and service delivery.
She said the essence of the tour is to map out ways to bring functional and quality health care system to the people at the grassroots, in line with the governor’s SMART agenda on Health; Health for All Deltans.
In her words, in Ika South, His excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has also provided Contributory Health Scheme, which is a form of insurance for all Deltans. Some centers in the Local Government have keyed into this scheme, this means that anyone from 0-5 years will have free health insurance, including pregnant women”.
She also asserted that in order to access these Schemes provided by the state government, they only need to register to get free health care attention.
In the same vein, she commended the Chairman, Ika South, Barr. Okoh for his drive and passion towards ensuring quality health care delivery for his people, stating that his passion towards the course is second to none.
Present during the tour were; the HOD, Health, Ika South, Dr. Igwala, Director Primary Health Care Services, Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Paul Yinkore.
Some of the Primary Health Care Centers (PHC) visited were, Abavo Central, Igbogili, Aliokpu and others.