Health Minister, Dr OsagieEhanire
Health Minister, Dr OsagieEhanire
As part of efforts to provide qualitative health care
services to the citizenry, the Federal Government
has reiterated her resolved to, in
partnership with States and Local Government Areas revitalize 9,844
Primary Health Centres in all the Political Wards across the
country, as operating manual for the Universal Health Coverage
(UCH).
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire stated this
during a Media chart with the Executive Members of the Association
of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ), in his office in Abuja. He
informed that the centres would be provided with social amenities
such as road networks, bore-holes, electricity (solar energy) etc.
to uplift the health status of Nigerians in rural areas.
Dr. Ehanire noted that some General Hospitals in some
States are in a deplorable condition and need to be put to
standards to handle complicated health issues from the Primary
Health Centres. He further urged State Governments to introduce
Social Health Insurance Scheme as a guarantee for the treatment of
patients at minimal cost.
The Minister assured that the Ministry will continue
to work closely and share information with the Association as
required. He advised the Journalists to always report the Ministry
correctly and could as well approach the Deputy Director of
Information in the Ministry for any piece of information required
or clarifications on any issues at any time for immediate response
and action.
Speaking, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. E.
Mamora, assured the Association that there would be regular meeting
and interactions with the Ministry. However, he informed that is
office is open for journalists for verification of information.
Dr. Mamora advised the Association that “if you don’t
have right for true information, do not report wrongly, rather
don’t report at all until you are furnished with the true
information”. He urged them to report correctly and accurately as
the Ministry would not entertain wrong reportage.
Earlier speaking, the Chairman of the Association of
Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ), Mr. Hassan Zaggi commended the
Ministers for their appointment as the Ministers’ for Health. He
reminded them that expectations from Nigerians and also the
Journalists are very high, as it said that a Healthy Nation is a
Wealthy Nation.
Mr. Zaggi stated that the Association is willing to
work closely with the Ministry for maximum coverage of the
Ministry’s activities. He said that the ANHEJ is soliciting for
access to information on the activities and programs of the
Ministry, in addition regular and quick responses for any required
information.