By Michael Eyibio
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has commended President Bola Tinubu for developing critical competencies that will improve health care service delivery in Nigeria’s health sector.
The Minister made this commendation during the flagg-off of a health care programme on free cancer screening, free eye testing, free dialysis and skills up empowerment programme for the people and residents of South-east.
The event was organized on Saturday February 8, by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on community engagement in the geopolitical zone, Mrs.Chioma Nweze, in conjunction with the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State at the University’s premises.
The Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, in a statement, said the Minister, who represented the President during the event, said federal government was committed to providing enabling infrastructure and the most conducive learning environment in Nigerian Universities.
He recounted the various interventions of Mr. President to David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, which was incidentally built by the Minister when he was the Governor of Ebonyi State and which law establishing it and naming it after the founder, David Umahi, was passed by the 10th National Assembly under the Renewed Hope administration.
He said, “I thank Mr. President, so much for the asphalting of this institution, the building of the hall that is here, and so many things, including the uninterrupted power supply enjoyed by the university.”
He expressed appreciation to the Governor of Prince Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for their commitments to the advancement of learning and excellence in the university.
The Minister commended the SSA to the President on Community Engagement, South East for the thoughtful motivations of her programme which he said was a wakeup call to all stakeholders, public and private institutions to show collaborative support to the government to achieve shared goals in health care delivery.
“And so, what you are doing beyond Ebonyi State for the entire South East and extending it to the entire Nigeria is commendable. Congratulations on your commitment. Congratulations on this programme. “
He pledged his continual support to the university to enable it to realize its goals of achieving unmatched excellence in their health care facilities such as Radiology Centre, Cancer Centre, Eye Centre, Kidney Centre, Maternal and Child Birth Centre.
Speaking, the representative of the Governor, Princess Patricia Obila, who is also the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, extolled the initiative of the SSA on Community Engagement to give the people access to quality health care and life changing empowerment and assured of the commitment of the State Government in supporting the Federal University of Health Sciences in the State in realizing the objectives of its establishment.
“We have committed so much, both money, a lot of commitment, and still, this government is also highly determined and committed to giving all the enabling environment to make sure that any programme concerning health is given the total support it deserves.”
Earlier in her address, the SSA to the President on community engagement said she initiated the health care outreach and skill up empowerment programme for South-east communities to add value to the laudable initiatives of Mr. President’s administration, which is aimed at stimulating economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for all Nigerians.
She said: “I recognize that access to quality health care is a fundamental human right, and it is our responsibility to ensure that every individual in the South-east has access to it, regardless of their background or financial situation.
“Our medical outreach initiative, which we have earlier started, is a multifaceted programme that will provide a range of free medical services, including cancer screening, free eye screening, and medical classes to the first 200 patients. We have also provided dialysis treatment for one year for all the 97 Local Government Areas in the South-east.
“My office will equally be flagging off the skill up South-east programme, which focuses on empowerment of the people and residents of South East through fashion and entrepreneurship.”
She further assured: “Our participants will have access to modern tailoring facilities, mentorship, and guidance from industrial experts.
“We are not only empowering our youths through skill acquisition, but we are also providing them with the opportunity to develop their business plans and pitch their ideas.
” This will enable them to become entrepreneurs and job creators, contributing to the economic growth and development of our region.”
She thanked the collaborations of David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences and solicited for more collaborations from public spirited individuals and bodies to enable her to attain the aspirations of her office in raising capacities and enhancing self reliance in South-east
