0
The Abia State Government will inaugurate key personnel to optimise healthcare services at Ohafia, by ensuring oversight of facilities and mobilising additional resources for public health development.
The personnel, named Strategic Community Health Oversight Team (SCHOT), will comprise the Executive of Ohafia Improvement Union (OIU) and the Presidents General of the various communities, according to the state government.
The team is scheduled for inauguration on July 22 at Ohafia Local Government Secretariat in Ebem. The members will serve as a link between communities and the government, providing leadership in health advocacy, policy implementation, resource mobilisation and oversight of primary health care services.
Specifically, ‘”they will monitor the functionality and quality of health facilities at Ohafia, track the availability of essential medicines, support minor repairs of health facilities, and promote climate-resilient primary health care infrastructure,” the Abia State Commissioner for Health, Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, was quoted as said in a brief to the Ohafia Improvement Union.
The team will also coordinate community health volunteers across Ohafia, promote skilled birth attendance, increase pentavalent-3 immunization, strengthen health insurance among vulnerable population, and facilitate community-based emergency transport for pregnant women and newborns,” the government said in statement by the OIU National Publicity Secretary, Chief Emele Onu.
“In addition, the team will monitor emergency healthcare needs, establish community feedback mechanisms and carry out advocacy for increased primary healthcare,” the statement added.
It will be recalled that the Abia State Government, as part of a strategic state-wide health intervention programme, upgraded medical facilities at Ohafia, including the primary healthcare centres at Ania, Amangwu, Amaekpu, Ihenta, Okagwo Agboji and Ugwufie, which were renovated and equipped with ultrasound machines, ultra modern labour room, baby warmer and anti-shock garments, among others.
The oversight team, which will be replicated in other local government areas in Abia State, will ensure the health amenities serve the communities optimally, and they are preserved to meet growing patients needs and draw the attention of the government to future needs.
The OIU President General, Prince Kalu Ikpemini, applauded Abia State Government for the health infrastructure initiatives. He assured the government of the cooperation of Ohafia clan in promoting sustainable health at the local government.
