In a bid to further strengthen the Health Sector in the Ukwuani Local Government Area, the Executive Chairman, of Ukwuani Local Government, Hon. Solomon Ajede has called for a public-private partnership in order to make up for the acute shortage of medical workers in both public and private hospitals in the state.
Ajede made this call during a meeting with the Executive Secretary, of Primary Health Care Authority, Ukwuani LGA, Dr Oshike Hilary Azuka, the Chief Medical Director, of General Hospital, Obiaruku, Dr. Ojumah and Directors of private hospitals and clinics operating in the locality.
While addressing the MDs and Administrators of the hospitals and clinics, the council boss noted that the meeting was aimed at addressing the complaint of gross negligence in the healthcare services provided for patients in some of the hospitals across the state.
He stated that in order to achieve his administration’s improved primary healthcare delivery goal as embedded in the #StepUpUkwuaniAgenda that all hands must be on deck, urged the medical professionals to live up to their calling by saving lives under all circumstances.
Ajede highlighted some of the problems facing the healthcare service delivery including acute shortage of manpower in both public and private health sector in the country, bureaucracy in the approval and accessing of funds, inadequate supply of electricity, and lack of adequate medical equipment, among others.
He also lamented the JAKPA Syndrome where medical workers are falling basically for better welfare and working conditions overseas.
While commending the private hospital owners and directors for their selfless services, Mr. Ajede therefore called for a robust Public/Private Partnership in the health sector in other to bridge the gap of lack of specialists in most of the hospitals and Clinics in the local government and in the state.
In their separate remarks, the doctors and administrators of the hospitals expressed their gratitude to the Executive Chairman for what they described as a timely meeting and the first of its kind.
According to them, Ajede has displayed a rare passion for the well-being of Ukwuani people beyond politics, and assured the council chairman that they will continue to do the needful in a bid to serve the people better.
