Health: Chime boosts FMCH with 13 new vehicles

By Chinenye Chinwe

The Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime has said he was determined to
make the Free Maternal and Child Health (FMCH) programme first
initiated by his administration, a trail blazer and the best of its
kind in the country.



The Governor stated this at the weekend while commissioning 13
vehicles, donated by government to Ministry of Health for use in
ensuring effective supervision and implementation of the programme in
all local governments areas in the state.



Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mrs Ifeoma Nwobodo Chime disclosed
that the programme was introduced in 2007 to help it achieve the
objectives of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs in the state.



Governor Chime noted that presentation of the vehicles; Eleven Hilux
vans and Two Toyota buses would complement the recent employment of
new personnel for the seven health districts in the state comprising
of 20 Medical Doctors, 150 Nurses, 5 pharmacists and 5 Medical
Laboratory scientists.


Others he said included 10 Radiographers, 5 Medical Record officers, 30
security and clerical officers, 15 drivers and 5 messengers.

He recalled that approval has recently been given for payment of
consolidated salary structures (CONMESS) to medical doctors in the
system and said the rest would follow soon.

Earlier in his speech , the State Commissioner for Health , Dr George
Eze commended the vision  of the  Governor in paying prompt attention
to the needs of FMCH, noting that Enugu state was the first to embrace
the programme in the country , a feat which has earned the state high
ratings as far as health care delivery in the country is concerned.

Dr Eze said the vehicles would ensure that services were extended to
people in the villages and hinterlands , emphasizing that  “no woman
would lose life because of inadequate treatment or attention during
child bearing in the health  districts of Enugu State”

He also called the CEOs of the districts to reciprocate the gesture of
the state government by living up to their responsibilities in their
areas.

The Commissioner commended DFID and other agencies for their
supportive roles to the FMCH programmes.

Speaking on behalf of other partnering agencies, a representative of
DFID, Professor Eddy Nwobodo paid glowing tribute to Governor Chime
for placing high premium on the health sector in the state.

He disclosed that the FMCH programme has gulped not less than 7
billion naira since its inception and called on concerted effort of
all and sundry to ensure the success of the programme at all levels.

The occasion was witnessed by top government functionaries and
politicians including Chairman of Health Management Board, Dr Arthur
Chinedu Idoko, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Moses
Otiji among others.

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