… Eulogies Fubara for developmental strides on health sector
Omiete Joseph
Former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili has commended the incumbent state governor, Siminalayi Fubara for his led government’s developmental strides on health sector in the state.
This is as Dr Odili has stated that soonest no State in Nigeria would produce health workers compare to Rivers State.
Dr Odili made the assertion yesterday, at a joint induction/oath-taking ceremony of graduands of the departments of medical laboratory science and nursing science of PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), in Rivers.
Odili, who is the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of Council, PUMS, noted the state government efforts in ensuring the grooming of young medical personnel in the state, especially those on scholarship who are graduating with character, knowledge and commitment aimed at positively impacting on the society.
He appreciated the partnership between PAMO University and the State government in growing human resources, especially in the specialised health sector for the people of Rivers State.
The former governor thanked Governor Fubara for paying special attention to health sector, which he said is for the benefit of all residents of the state.
Dr Odili said “Let him (Governor Fubara) know that his increased number of scholars of Rivers State people in PAMO University, will help to ensure that within the next few years, no State in Nigeria will produce more health workers like Rivers State.
“With what he is doing, Rivers State will not be threatened by the exodus of health workers in Nigeria, because as they leave more is produced and a point will come when it will hit saturation point, and people will decide to stay back and make here that green pasture people are going out to look out for.”
To the new graduates, the Pro-chancellor said, “your future is now in your hands, you have been given the tools, you’ve been told all you need to know, you’ve been thought all you need to know, what will change your future lies with you; your attitude, that’s what makes the difference”.
He urged the graduands to remember the strict regulations that aimed not at punishing them, but to equipping and strengthening them to become proud ambassador of PAMO University.
He however, declared N500,000 each to the best lecturer awardees, N200,000 each to 10 best graduating students and N100,000 each to all the 28 inductees of the event.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Health, Adaeze Oreh noted that Governor Fubara is deeply committed to strengthening the healthcare system in the State.
Dr Oreh who announced an automatic internship for the inductees at the state medical facilities, said “Nurses and medical laboratory sciences contribute substantially to the building blocks of any robust healthcare system”.
She further stated that the medical personnel play critical roles in health promotion, diagnostics, disease prevention, and quality healthcare across all levels, thereby complementing the achievements of universal health coverage.
According to her: “For many years, funding under investment in education, training of health workers in many countries and mismatch between education and employment strategies in relation to health system and population needs, has contributed to shortages that we have been experiencing in the health workforce”.
Oreh added that “Achieving health for all today, all depends on our having enough well trained and educated, regulated and well supported nurses, midwives and medical laboratory scientists, who receives pay and recorgnition that is commensurate with the services and the quality of care that they provide”.
In his paper presentation, the guest lecturer, Prof F. D. Omisakin advocated for health policy and social change, that champions equitable access to quality care and addressing systemic disparities.
Prof Omisakin told the inductees that “Your expertise will shape the future of healthcare, transforming lives and communities. Your compassion will touch hearts, alleviating suffering and promoting hope”, adding that their dedication will inspire others, fostering a culture of excellence and empathy.