By Asmau Ahmad
Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has pledged his commitment to the prompt release of counterpart funds in the health sector to sustain the success in healthcare.
Speaking in Enugu while inaugurating the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, Governor Ugwuanyi said that such payment had become necessary as the state had maintained a steady advancement in maternal and child health.
“In July 2015, I made a commitment to improve child and maternal health and I am glad to say that we have sustained the programme in all health centres.
“We shall continue to accord priority to health issues in the state and reaffirm our commitment to remitting counterpart funds while providing a conducive environment for the successful implementation of this programme,” he said.
Ugwuanyi expressed gratitude to partners, who he said had remained steadfast in the implementation of the programme in the state.
Earlier, the Zonal Coordinator of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Ngozi Nwosu, expressed concern that Enugu State was behind time in the first round of the programme.
Nwosu said that the first round of the immunisation programme was concluded in July in most states, adding that such states were already preparing for round two to be held in November.
“Enugu State should buckle up and overcome whatever challenges that have made it not to implement round one up till now so that it can join the other states in the November round.
“We request that adequate logistic support be provided for healthcare personnel to carry out monitoring and supervision.
“For the state to excel in this particular round, it must shy away from non-release or inadequate release of funds, as well as low morale of health workers due to non-payment of salaries,” she said.
She appealed to the state government to address security concerns in the rural areas, especially the menace of herdsmen which had displaced some people in the state.
Nwosu said that the immunisation porgramme was achieving its desired objectives since its inception in 2010 as 12 rounds had been carried out generally.
