YENAGOA – The Bayelsa State Government on Thursday described global partnership initiatives in the development of the state’s healthcare system as symbolic of a “new dawn“ for the people of the state.
Some of the companies that have entered into partnerships with the state government include Chevron Nigeria Ltd, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Family Health International (FHI).
Dr Ayibatonye Owei, the state Commissioner for Health, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa that the partnership had made a remarkable impact in the healthcare delivery system.
“The global partners bring in funds for certain projects like HIV/AIDS, building of some cottage hospitals, maintaining certain healthcare programmes.
“What happens is that the state gives what we call a counterpart funding.
“As they bring their money, the state government brings a part of the money and jointly they work together in order to ensure that the healthcare delivery system is improved.
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“Communities in Bayelsa state where such facility have been built by any of the global partners and left fallow and not utilised should report it to the ministry of health, so that we can then audit this facility in order to take full ownership and make sure these facilities are made functional.
“It is a clarion call to all communities in Bayelsa state; they should help us in that audit because they must also be interested in their health.
“So, government will only invest in the communities that take health seriously.“
Owei, however urged other companies in the state to emulate the footsteps of some of these bodies and companies in partnership in ensuring quality health care for the people.
He described health matters as important to mankind and said that the state government was poised to improve health facilities in all nooks and crannies of the state. (NAN)
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