BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
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Moved by the innovations so far in the health sector of Enugu State, medical leaders, health professional bodies, health policy experts, and stakeholders in the health sector of the State, have come under the Peter Mbah Health Policy & Projects Vanguard (PM-H2PV) to champion the course of his health sector policies and projects.
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At the formal inauguration of the group in Enugu, it’s State Coordinator, Dr Sunny Okafor, explained that the body, referred to as “The Vanguard”, would provide structured professional advocacy to support, document, and strategically communicate Gov Mbah’s health sector policies and projects/achievements while mobilising stakeholder and public support toward his re-election for 2nd term of office.
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Okafor stated that Mbah’s leadership has achieved what many considered “improbable” in the health sector of the state so far with simultaneous revitalisation of healthcare infrastructures across the State from Primary to Quaternary level of care
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He noted the massive construction of Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) and strategic positioning of Primary Healthcare as the foundation of Universal Health Coverage as well as the expansive road network to increase access to the healthcare facilities in State.
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He said that Mbah has ensured digitalisation of health facilities, expansion of human resources for health, and ongoing upgrades of secondary and tertiary (teaching) hospitals including the State University of Medical and Allied Sciences (SUMAS).
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Okafor, who is the Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Enugu State, added: ” There is the comprehensive infrastructural renewal of ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, including major facility upgrades, accreditation of numerous medical and health programmes, expansion of clinical spaces, and modernisation of service delivery platforms— these steps have significantly improved patient care, training capacity, and the working environment for healthcare professionals in the State
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“The implementation of improved remuneration structures, prompt payment of super CONMESS & CONHESS, and other welfare-enhancing policies for doctors and other health workers in state employment which has boosted morale, productivity, and staff retention, while sending a strong signal of commitment to addressing brain drain and sustaining quality healthcare delivery.
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“These achievements have not only improved health outcomes but have elevated Enugu State as a national reference point in health sector reform”.
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Elated that these interventions have improved medical access in the state, Okafor stated that the coalition/assembly of medical leaders, health professional bodies, health policy experts, and stakeholders in the health sector of Enugu State, in deep appreciation of the governor’s “unprecedented and measurable transformation across multiple sectors of governance, particularly the health sector in Enugu State within a remarkably short time, unanimously resolved to champion the course of his health sector policies and projects”.
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He noted however that despite these landmark achievements have not been reflected through public awareness while opposition narratives have tended to distort or underplay their gains, stressing that the group would attempt to bridge the gap by translating policy achievements into public value and electoral support.
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Also speaking, a former Commissioner of health, Prof Ikechukwu Obi, stated that Mbah had surpassed his manifesto on health even when his tenure was still counting.
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Obi said that Mbah remains the only governor that had “universal health coverage in his manifesto”, and has given impetus to it’s realisation.
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He noted that the various transformations in the health sector and the ongoing 300 bed international hospital, and the Diagnostic Centre would reposition Enugu as a health tourist state.
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Another medical elder, Dr Eric Oluedo, said that Mbah’s efforts in the health sector should be sustained and urged health practitioners in the state to support his second term in office.
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Also, a former state chairman of the NMA, Dr Ike Okwesili, said with the innovations in the sector, the state would roll out over 1000 medical graduates annually, going by the accreditations granted to schools in the state by Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
