By AWOKESON RITA PC
The World over, April 7th each year, is set aside as World Health Day and commemorated across Nations. Nigeria and Kogi State in particular were definitely not left out.
The theme for this year’s World Health Day is ‘My Health, My Right’.
The WHO, Kogi State office in marking the day organized and coordinated activities which began with a Road walk to give visibility and enlighten the public that they have a right to health and quality service delivery.
The day rounded off with a brief session with the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Kogi State – Dr. Adams Adeiza Abdulazeez .
In attendance at the brief were staff of WHO Kogi State Office led by the Acting State Coordinator – Dr. Gwomson Dauda (PHO) Public Health Officer, Development Partners, Staff of the SMOH and Kogi SPHCDA.
The Honorable Commissioner for Health – Dr. Abdulazeez in his address thanked every for coming together to commemorate the day. He enumerated some of the objectives of the day which included but not limited to creating awareness about the importance of individuals right to health and health care services, advocate for equitable license to quality healthcare for all residents in Kogi State and the World at large, to promote physical activity as an essential component of healthy lifestyle among other objectives. This was demonstrated with the road-walk.
He added that ‘our primary responsibility is the health of people in kogi state irrespective of being a kogite or not’. He urged every one in the heath sector to contribute their various quota to achieving the objective of quality health and health services to the people.
Dr. Abdulazeez added that the State Government has begun putting structures to give a face-lift to PHCs and secondary health facilities. He mentioned that assessors were on the field to harness PHCs for state Government revitalization of at least 63 PHCs – 3 per LGA in the State. the drive is to provide sustainable and accessible health care for kogi residents. Other measures are also being put in place to support the Drug Management Agency to ensure availability and cost effective drugs in our facilities.
Dr. Gwomson Dauda, Public Health Officer (PHO) and Acting State Coordinator WHO Kogi Office while responding to the brief of the Hon Commissioner appreciated him for the drive and energy to revitalize the Health care system in the State. Dr. Dauda seized the opportunity to appeal to the Honorable Commissioner for Health to involve the WHO Office in the plans and drive for better health services as WHO is willing and ready to support the State in its capacity.
Lending his voice to buttress the position of WHO, Pharm. Eric Akoji – State Coordinator Health Partners Forum reiterated the unwavering support from WHO and appreciated the efforts. He however appealed to the Honourable Commissioner for Health to strengthen the M & E (Monitoring and Evaluation) of the State as Data generation, validation and documentation credits or mars the entire effort of work done.
The Honorable Commissioner still responding to other comments said details of areas of need for immediate attention are being addressed and assures that the State will be better of health wise in the near future following the trend of state Government intervention underway.
He also appreciated WHO Kogi Office for their support and swift action in attending to promises made.
The Permanent Secretary State Ministry Of Health (SMOH) – Dr. Barnabas Segun in his vote of thanks appreciated the State Government for the intervention and upgrade of health Facilities and assured hope that it will get better in the coming years. He appreciated WHO and other development Partners for their support to the State and urged every worker in health to put in their best for the everall good and health of the people of Kogi State.
