The Ebonyi State Government has announced its aspiration to establish three specialist hospitals, one for each senatorial zone of the state, to offer advanced medical services to the people beyond the scope of the revitalised general hospitals in order to tackle medical tourism, adding that no newly-recruited doctor should be paid less than N500,000.
Governor Francis Nwifuru announced this on Monday during the flag-off of the distribution of massive medical equipment procured by his administration.
The medical equipment was donated to the 15 general hospitals across the state.
The event, which was held at the International Conference Centre, Abakaliki as part of the administration’s Health Activation Programme, also incorporated the official flag-off of the Drug Revolving Fund scheme of the state government.
Nwifuru maintained that apart from bridging the gap in advanced medical care in all parts of the state, the specialist hospitals would stem the tide of medical tourism, not only in Ebonyi State, but also neighbouring states.
The medical equipment, worth over N6 billion, included manual and automatic beds, delivery beds, wheel chairs, orthopaedic mattresses, drip stands, transfer trolleys, and assorted cabinets.
The governor emphasised that the equipment, coupled with the earlier recruited manpower into the general hospitals, was aimed at repositioning the facilities to effectively offer the desired services to the people of the state, especially the grassroots, adding that the drug revolving fund would ensure continued availability of drugs in health facilities at subsidised costs.
Nwifuru said: “The revolving nature of the fund ensures sustainability, transparency, and accountability.
“It is a lifeline for our rural communities, who will now have access to quality medicines at affordable rates.
“On the distribution of medical equipment, our hospitals cannot function effectively without adequate tools.
“Therefore, we are distributing modern medical equipment, including hospital beds, mattresses, patient monitors, drip stands, and other critical consumables.
“We are also working with relevant institutions to train and retrain our health workforce, ensuring that they meet global best practices.
“Our vision is to establish specialist hospitals in each of the three senatorial zones of the state to provide advanced medical services, reduce medical tourism and save lives.
“We are also exploring partnerships for healthcare financing and digital health systems that would ensure more efficiency in access.”
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The governor called on all stakeholders in the state to join hands with his administration to create an enviable, accountable and responsible health sector for the good of all and sundries in the state, urging community leaders to own and protect the equipment in their various domains.
Nwifuru said: “Let me use this medium to call on all our community leaders, traditional rulers, and civil society to join us in monitoring and protecting this investment.
“These health facilities belong to the people; ownership brings responsibility.
“Let me make it clear that it is not an option but a duty.
“Any form of mismanagement or diversion of public facility will be met with firm action.
“We have already shown that we will not condone negligence.
“Let this flag-off be a call to action for our healthcare workers, our communities and community leaders, all stakeholders to work together to accelerate our visions to build a system that all of us will be very grateful and proud of.”
Commending doctors and other medical personnel in the state for their dedication, Governor Nwifuru directed that none of the newly recruited doctors in the state should earn salary and allowances below N500,0000.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, in his opening remarks commended the governor for revolutionising the health sector in the state through employment of over 195 medical personnel, equipment of the general hospitals, and introduction of the Drug Revolving Fund with an established agency to man its operation in the state, among other innovations.
Ekuma pledged that the Ministry would strictly monitor the distribution and usage of the equipment for the good of Ebonyi State people and its residents.
Goodwill messages were received by some health implementation partners in the state, including Smile For Mothers Initiative.
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