By Akanimo Sampson
WORLD Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Rui Gama Vas, has charged the Rivers State Government under the watch of Governor Nyesom Wike, to strengthen their primary healthcare system.
The United Nations agency also wants the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration to also beefed up their emergency response capacity in the interest of qualitative health of the electorate.
The WHO boss who was speaking in Port Harcourt, the state capital, when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Wike, equally commended the state government for their rapid response that led to the containment of Lassa Fever in the state.
Vas assured that WHO will always provide the needed technical assistance to the state in critical areas of public health administration.
He commended the Federal Government for successfully tackling polio, saying that all things being equal the country will be declared polio free in one year and three months.
He appealed that efforts should be made to sustain the relevant immunization programmes.
Wike has declared that government will develop and equip primary healthcare facilities across the state to create access to qualitative healthcare to more people.
Governor Wike said his administration will never compromise on the delivery of quality healthcare in the state.
According to him, ”we will make sure that the required attention is given to primary healthcare facilities across the state. We are working towards completing primary healthcare centres in different communities in the state for the purpose of ensuring that more people have access to qualitative healthcare “.
The governor assured WHO that his administration will collaborate with the agency to advance the cause of health. He called on the organization to continue to provide technical assistance to the professionals in the state.
He accordingly directed the state Health Commissioner to interface with WHO to resolve issues related to the accommodation of the organisation at the Rivers House in Abuja.
