.PDP chieftain lauds governor over road project
Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has assured that the soon-to-be-unveiled state health insurance scheme and construction of 500 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across the state will guarantee accessible and affordable healthcare.
The governor said that there was a nexus between the health insurance scheme and the PHCs as the symbiotic relationship would ensure health needs were met with minimal cost and effort, across the different parts of the state.
He reassured that the revamp of the healthcare sector was on course and that government would ensure that relevant institutions and policies were put in place to drive the reforms and sustain gains to be recorded.
His words: “We are undertaking a holistic revamp of the health sector to ensure that the people are best served and that they do not have to spend so much to get quality healthcare. All of these reforms are interconnected and we are doing this because we have a big plan; we won’t do things in tokens. Every aspect of the health sector is covered. So, much as our focus is on primary healthcare, we are not oblivious of the need for tertiary and specialist care. So, all of these are captured in the reforms we are pursuing.”
The governor said that the focus on primary healthcare was responsible for the construction of the 500 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) across the state, noting that the state government intends to work with the Federal Ministry of Health through the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA) in addressing challenges facing primary health care system in the state.
“The 500 PHCs will cater to the healthcare need of those in rural areas, contribute to strengthening the state’s healthcare sector and engender speedy response to health emergencies.
He added that the primary health insurance scheme, the legislation for which has reached advanced stage at the Edo State House of Assembly, will bring succor to our people.
“It is a scheme that will be open to all Edo people, as against being just for civil servants. This scheme will ensure that people access healthcare with minimal cost and even when they get to the health centers, they would be assured of quality health care,” he said.
The super health centres, according to him, are to be sited in the three senatorial districts of the state and will serve as reference centres for the General Hospitals across the state.
He added, “The three super general hospitals will serve as a rallying hub for tertiary healthcare needs of the people, and will be properly equipped to serve this purpose. Our super hospitals will attend to complex health cases which Nigerians and Africans travel to other continents to treat.
“Medical tourism is a very big business in some Asian countries and most of their patients are Nigerians. More worrisome is the fact that some of the hospitals abroad are not as good as they make us believe. We will change this trend by providing world class health care facilities in Edo State and partner with experts to run them.”
Meanwhile, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Mr. Chris Agbonoma, has said that the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration has exceeded the expectations of many Edo people, including members of the opposition political parties in the state, especially in the area of road construction.
He said, “We woke up on Sunday morning to see heavy duty equipment removing the top soil on Aifuwa Street, off Upper Sokponba Road, in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area. In no time, we saw more equipment on the road and since then, work on the road has intensified.
“We have been celebrating the road construction project since then and we are grateful to Governor Obaseki and the All Progressives Congress government for remembering us in this part of the state.”
Agbonoma added, “the road, on completion, will boost socio-economic activities in the area, up to Amwiama, lower St Saviour, Oka areas and environs.
“Over the years, we have been using tricycles to navigate the bad roads leading to our houses and when it rains, we trek and trudge through the flooded portions of the road and adjoining streets. We are relieved by this ongoing road project and we salute the commitment of the state governor and president of the country for remembering us.”
The PDP member further said: “If a government is doing well, we should be courageous enough to say it, irrespective of the party we belong. Aifuwa Street has existed since the 1970s or earlier and this is the first time a government is getting it tarred and we need to celebrate the administration.”
Mrs. Bridget Njokwu, who sells foodstuff on the street said: “We are happy about the ongoing road construction project, it will make life easier for us and reduce the cost of transporting our goods from the market. We used to suffer a lot in the area. We commend the state government for the good work.”
Chris Ogie, owner of a saloon on Aifuwa Street, said his business will benefit a great deal from the road project, adding “when completed my business will become more visible and more customers will find it easier accessing my shop. We are proud that this is happening in our area.”
Some motorists interviewed said the gains associated with the road project are numerous, including reduced cost of maintaining their vehicles.