By Andrew Ikehi
The Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has been asked to strengthen the State Government’s health care program by ensuring that residents in the rural areas, particularly the riverine axis of the State benefit maximally.
The State Youth Parliamentarians raised the concern yesterday during its third plenary session held at the State House of Assembly complex in Asaba, the State capital.
Coming under matters of urgent public importance raised at Wednesday’s plenary by the member representing Patani State Constituency in the State Youth Parliament, Mr. Paul Eguono Ohwofataro, the youth parliamentarians have specifically asked the State Governor to, as a matter of necessity, direct the State Ministry of Health to employ and deploy more health workers to all the rural areas of the State, particularly the riverine axis.
According to Mr. Ohwofataro, the call has become imperative as it would go a long way in helping to reduce the rate of deaths in some of the rural communities arising from the growing dearth of health workers in the areas.
Citing instances how some ‘minor ailments’ had resulted in the death of many residents in most of the rural communities, particularly the riverine dwellers, the youth parliamentarian noted that except an urgent step was taken to address the trend, the situation may escalate.
A cross section of the youth parliamentarians who spoke during the plenary, stressed the need for urgent attention of the State government in addressing the health needs of residents in the rural communities.
In their various submission, the Youth Parliamentarians, while underscoring the import of health needs in any given society, lamented that some residents across the rural communities in the State are being denied of this essential need owing to the growing dearth of health personnels.
They said, “in some of the health facilities in some rural areas, there are cases where we may be lucky to have a Doctor, but there are no sufficient health assistants/workers
“In some others, there are no doctors as there are very few health workers. The situation is indeed worrisome and we wish to call on the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to direct the State Ministry of Health to engage in massive recruitment of health workers as well as ensure that our primary health care centres are equipped with the requisite health care facilities”
The motion which was supported by the youth parliamentarian representing Ndokwa West, Mr. Chukwubueze Obi-Ojinka was unanimously adopted by the Youth Parliamentarians at Wednesday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker of the youth parliamentarians, Mr. George Ohwoekvwo.
Also at Wednesday’s plenary, the Youth Parliamentarians called on the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to direct the State Ministry of Basic and Primary Education to employ and deploy more teachers to all the riverine communities.
This, according to the Youth Parliamentarian representing Ndokwa East Constituency, Mr. Princewill Chukwuka Ogbolu, the call had become necessary as itvwould help in addressing the increasing educational gap in the area.
Ogbolu’s motion which was raised under matters of urgent public importance was supported by the member representing Bomadi State Constituency in the State Youth Parliament, Ms Ekede Pere-Ere Besta.
