ABAKALIKI – The Senate President, Sen. David Mark, on Friday described the healthcare system as critical to national development.
Mark spoke during the official inauguration of the In-Vitro Fertilisation Unit of the National Obstetric Fistula Centre in Abakaliki.
He said the critical import of the health sector to overall development informed the importance the National Assembly attached to the sector hence the need to appropriate more funds to the centre.
“I want to emphasise the importance the National Assembly attached to our healthcare sector as a critical factor to its development, hence the quick response to stem Ebola Virus Disease in the country.
“I thank the efforts of the National obstetric Fistula Centre for the remarkable progress recorded since inception, especially its free medical treatment rendered to the women.
“This humanitarian attachment to your services is worthy of commendation. And I want to assure you that the National Assembly Appropriation Committee would always look favourably to the centre,’’ he said.
The Senate president also applauded the numerous input made by the Federal Ministry of Health to the development of the centre. [eap_ad_2] “The Health Ministry has really accorded the National Fistula Centre the required deserved attention it needed to operate efficiently and I also thank Gov. Martin Elechi and the amiable wife for their dogged effort in making this project realisable,’’ he said.
Mark extolled the cordial relationship existing between the governor and members of the National Assembly from the state, adding that such cooperation exalted a state.
Earlier, Elechi thanked members of the National Assembly for approvals and appropriation that had improved the state.
“No doubt the appropriation of the National Assembly contributed immensely to the establishment of this great centre which is gradually attaining international recognition.
“The centre is indeed a national centre, thanks to the National Assembly for this feat,” the governor said.
He, however, urged the National Assembly to take issues concerning the centre seriously.
The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, expressed appreciation for the support of the National Assembly to the National Fistula Obstetric Centre.
The minister commended President Goodluck Jonathan for approving that the Federal Government take over the centre.
“This National Obstetric Fistula Centre is a comprehensive centre which provides free treatment programme accessible to all Nigerians, treats Vesico-Vaginal Fistula and Pelvic organ prolapse surgical intervention.
“The centre is designated as the National Cancer Screening Centre for the South East. I, therefore, thank Gov. Elechi for the state government’s continued support to the centre.
Also the Chairman, National Fistula Obstetric Fistula Centre, Mrs Josephine Elechi, said that the centre had provided free treatments to 1,728 fistula clients with 57 ureteric implantations.
“Four hundred and twelve women with pelvic organ prolapse have equally benefitted from the centre’s free surgical repairs.
“The centre had provided training for over 80 medical and paramedical personnel in both Vesico-Vaginal fistula and pelvic organ prolapse surgical intervention, “she said.
She, however, urged the National Assembly to appropriate more funds to the centre to enable it to serve the country efficiently. (NAN) [eap_ad_3]
