Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Health has assured adequate funding of the health sector in the state in fulfillment of the MORE mantra of the Oborevwori’s government.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon Ferguson Onwo gave the assurance when he led members on oversight visit to the Delta State Health Management Board, HMB.
Onwo stated that provision of adequate and quality healthcare to Deltans is one of the key components of the MORE agenda of the Oborevwori’s administration and pledged the support of the State Legislature at realizing the set goal.
The Lawmaker who represents Isoko South 2 Constituencyexpressed happiness over some positive developments in the Ministry, saying that his led committee expects much more budget performance in 2024 fiscal year.
He thanked the Governor for giving approval to equip the General Hospitals across the state.
“The MORE Agenda of His Excellency, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori takes the health of Deltans seriously. To achieve his dream, the State Assembly would continue to make budgetary provisions for the sector to deliver quality health Care to the populace.
“The House through its Committees has constitutional right as provided in the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria to oversight Ministries, Department and Agencies, MDAs of government.
“So this visit is constitutional aimed to seek first hand information on the operations of the HMB, deliberate on goals and challenges and proffer solutions where possible”, Onwo stated.
Flanked by the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon Emeka Osamuta, and three others, Honourables Bernerd Odior, Perkins Umukoro and Festus Utuama, the Lawmaker emphasized that oversight to MDAs is not to witch-hunt but a measure to addressing critical issues in government for the interest of citizens.
Onwo noted further that the committee would be very thorough in its oversight legislative duties and advised health personnels against cutting corners.
He called on the HMB to seek partnership with the private sector to fund some of its projects and programmes, saying “it is the modern way of running institutions globally as government alone cannot adequately fund the health sector”.
While assuring the board of every legislative support to enable it perform better, Hon Onwo disclosed that the Committee intends to visit all health facilities in the state to ascertain critical issues affecting the sector.
He promised to sustain good synergy between the House Committee on Health and MDAs under it oversight, aimed at extending quality healthcare to all Deltans.
Chairman, Delta State Health Management Board, Dr Paul Oweh, commended members of the Committee for the visit, which he said was the first to the board by Assembly Committee on Health.
Dr Oweh explained that the board is primarily charged with the responsibility of recruitment, promotions and disciplinary issues in hospitals across the state, adding that the board is the largest provider of healthcare services in the state.
Saying that the board has eleven medical zones in the state, Oweh stressed that improved healthcare delivery is key to complementing the MORE agenda of the state government.
He said the board conduct regular visit to all it facilities in the state to ascertain challenges and best approach to addressing them.
Dr Oweh also thanked the governor for approvals of three billion for equipment upgrade and recruitment of staff to address manpower shortage.
The Permanent Secretary, HMB, Dr Paul Okubor said the board is committed to its responsibilities like other tertiary health institutions.
He said all the Central Hospitals across the state, including Warri, Ughelli, Sapele and Agbor, have been carrying out major health services aimed at meeting the health needs of the people.
Dr Okubor called on the committee to help intervene in addressing the infrastructure deficits and shortage of manpower in HMB.