Follow Us on Google
Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno has received two awards from nurses, midwives, and other principal health officers under the auspices of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and the Body of Heads of Nursing Services Department and Principals of Schools in Federal Health Institutions (BOHNAPFHI), respectively.
Eno, while receiving the awards during a courtesy visit by the two health workers’ unions, said he regarded the awards as recognition of the collective efforts of the people of Akwa Ibom State, particularly members of his administration who contributed enormously to the development of the state.
“Each time I receive an award like this, I normally hand it over to the people of Akwa Ibom and everyone who has cooperated with this administration to interpret our vision in different areas.”
According to him, the welfare of the people is the essence of governance, with health as a critical component.
“If the people are not healthy, no matter the skyscrapers you build, there will be nobody to enjoy it.”
He said his administration will continue to do its best to improve healthcare delivery in the state.
Eno highlighted the growth of the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme and described it as one of the fastest-growing health insurance agencies in the country.
He disclosed that the state is considering measures to bring elderly citizens into the insurance scheme to reduce the burden of out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
According to him, expanding health insurance coverage would make healthcare more accessible and affordable for residents, particularly the vulnerable demographic.
Other News
Eno also highlighted the role played by experienced nurses and midwives in the healthcare delivery value chain, adding that their years of professional knowledge and practical experience were invaluable to younger medical doctors.
He assured that the state would explore the possibility of retaining the expertise of retired nurses and other experienced healthcare professionals to strengthen healthcare delivery services.
“Some of those experienced nurses and midwives command tremendous respect, and even young doctors rely on them to explain actual work procedures, making use of their experience to our advantage.”
NANNM conferred on the governor the award of the Most Nurse-Friendly Governor for his “outstanding leadership, exceptional commitment and deliberate investment in strengthening the nursing and midwifery workforce,” while the heads of federal health institutions conferred an award on him for:
“Exemplary leadership, visionary contributions and unwavering commitment to the development of healthcare services and infrastructure through the ARISE Agenda in Akwa Ibom State.”
Earlier, the delegation of NANNM, led by Ndaji Alhassan, the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, said it was in the state to appreciate Eno for his “gigantic” contributions to the development of healthcare.
On their part, the National Chairman of BOHNAPFHI, Dr Mrs Jenny Akpan, commended the governor for the Ibom Medical City project, model primary healthcare centres and other health infrastructure initiatives of the administration.
The delegations included the National Financial Secretary of NANNM, Comrade Dr Ojong Ofut Ogar; the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of NANNM, Comrade Nsikan Udoh; the Chief Medical Director of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Professor Emem Abasi Bassey; and the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, UUTH, Professor Eyo Ekpe, among others.
