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From TONY JOHN Port Harcourt
Rivers State government said it has adequately strengthened primary health care and trained personnel, so as to eradicate fatality ahead of predicted flood.
State Commissioner for Health, Adaeze Oreh, stated this at a day training for health personnel and stakeholders in Opobo, headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Area on Tuesday.
According to her, the importance of emergency preparedness could not be overemphasized; hence, the need for developing effective plans for disaster response and management in the 19 local government areas captured by the NIMET flood prediction.
She said: “As we speak, some LGAs in the state have started showing signs of flood. So, in a proactive manner, the governor quickly swung into action with inauguration of the Rivers State Food Management Committee.
“This is in recognising the fact that emergency preparedness and planning is a crucial approach to disaster containment.
“These plans include evacuation, setting up of make-shift shelters, disease prevention and health promotion initiatives like vaccination and malaria vector control.”
The Commissioner also said that the state authority has established a robust synergy with the first responders in the local government areas as well as coordinating partners and agencies for provision of resources such as food, water and medical supplies.
Earlier, Mr Enyiada Cookey-Gam Chairman, Opobo/Nkoro local government area welcomed participants and assured the council’s commitment to ensure proper adherence to flood advisories by the state flood management committee.
Also, the Chairman, Andoni local government area Mr Erastus Awortu promised to prioritize safety of the vulnerable especially the girl child who would be housed in the make-shift camps in event of flood.
The exercise featured lectures from various resource persons, medical personnel as well as representatives of Andoni, Tai and Oyigbo local government areas.
Representatives of the National Orientation Agency (VOA), Ministry of Health, Special Duties, Federal Road Safety Corps, Police, National/State Emergency Management Agencies (NEMA/SEMA) also delivered safety tips at the event.
