Recently, the Imo State government announced its intention to construct 57 new Health Care Centres in the State. This cheering news was received across the State with joy, especially amongst the rural dwellers.
The importance of a healthy population needs not be overemphasized. It is a generally accepted aphorism that “a healthy population is a wealthy population.” This presupposes that without healthiness,man can not achieve anything – in fact,human beings will literally be moving corpses.
Imo people are gladdened that the government of Senator Hope Uzodimma, in its foresightedness,has realized the dire need to ensure that the populace is healthy, wealthy, and strong. Nothing can be compared to a healthy population.
Already, Imo State is ranked high in primary health care services and delivery in Nigeria. This laudable milestone has drastically reduced child mortality rate in Imo State.
We commend the Imo State government’s initiative to construct additional Health Care Centres to complement the existing ones. It also salutes the dedication and achievements of the management and staff of Imo State Primary Health Care Agency in primary health care services and delivery.
We would, however, wish to remind the Imo State government that whilst it is commendable to consider expanding the scope of the physical health care infrastructure in the State,it is even more pertinent to ensure that existing ones that are in a state of disrepair, should be rehabilitated. Apart from rehabilitation, they should also be properly staffed and stocked with relevant drugs.
There is no wisdom in establishing new health centres while existing ones are still begging for attention. It only makes a caricature of such noble initiatives.
Furthermore, it is imperative to equally remind communities of the need to protect these health facilities. If they allow them to be vandalized,it will definitely be to their own detriment. Nobody outside the areas where these health facilities are situated can use or enjoy them more than the host communities. This,therefore, underscores the essence of their being vigilant at all times for the sake of these facilities and their health care needs.
Nigerian Horn appreciates this populist initiative by the Imo State government and hopes that its implementation will be hitchfreee and timeous in the overall interest of our rural dwellers.
