Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, says the Rivers State Government has built improved services in all tiers of service delivery in the Health Sector.
Dr. Banigo stated this in her goodwill message from the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday, 7th April 2022, to commemorate the year 2022 World Health Day Celebration.
Dr. Banigo said the health indices of the State have continued to improve steadily, adding that there has been an increase in Routine Immunization Services across the State, and the prevention of outbreaks of Vaccine-preventable diseases.
According to the Public Health Physician, Government has offered free deliveries by Skilled Birth Attendants to all women of childbearing age who have registered, in the primary health care facilities and attended up to four antenatal visits, stressing that this has reduced maternal and neonatal mortalities in the State.
Dr. Banigo also disclosed that there has been continuous training and retraining of health care providers, on Family planning services, which are offered free across the State, noting that the State provides free family planning consumables, to all the facilities that services are offered.
According to the Deputy Governor, under the watch of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, a Medical School has been established at the Rivers State University, while the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital has been upgraded into a full-fledge Teaching Hospital, in addition to the construction of Zonal Hospitals, renovation, and upgrading of General Hospitals as well as Primary Health Care Facilities.
She said, in consonance with the theme of this year’s celebration, which is “Our Planet, Our Health”.
Governor Wike has taken the lead in the fight against illegal oil bunkering also known as kpofire to mitigate its harmful effect on the health of the citizenry.
It would be recalled that the 7th of April each has been set aside to celebrate World Health Day. The celebration is an opportunity to raise awareness about health issues affecting humankind globally.
