By Emeka Nwokocha
Executive Secretaries of Primary Health Care (PHC) in Patani and Isoko North local government areas of Delta state, Dr. Obaro Ogemudia, and Dr. Stephen Demoteide have commended ACOMIN for playing a vital role in ensuring the ongoing Global Fund for ATM free malaria treatment in designated communities in the state continues without a hitch.
The Executive Secretaries, ES, gave the commendation during a meeting with the State Advocacy Team (SAT) led by the State Program Officer of ACOMIN, Mr. Austin Uwede.
Speaking at the meeting which was held on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 March, 2023, Uwede apprised the Executive Secretaries of the ongoing free malaria treatment in the designated communities in Patani and Isoko North local government areas, noting the progress being made by the Community Led Monitoring (CLM) project in ensuring the health scheme runs without any setbacks.
Continuing, Uwede expressed the need for continuous support from the local governments in addressing identified challenges that impede smooth operation of some of the health facilities offering the free malaria treatment. He mentioned the challenges to include non-availability of good water in the facilities located in Odorubu and Adobu communities, stressing that the solar panel that generates power for the refrigerator where vaccines are preserved had been stolen, saying, “Since that unfortunate incident occurred, on the days of immunization, the matron goes as far as Udophori and Patani to collect vaccines thus causing delay in provision of medical services to patients.”
He added, “We’re currently having talks with the community and the traditional ruler on how they can help us replace the stolen solar panels so that the refrigerators can run and ensure there is timely and effective delivery of service by the medical personnel.”
To ensure the facilities are secured, Uwede expressed the need for security guards to work in the facilities, adding that he had made efforts to recruit some guards by seeking support of the community but to no avail as the latter had complained of paucity of funds.
He further stated that the water infrastructure in the facility in Bulu-Angiama had been vandalized and the water pump stolen, adding that the facility is not fenced, and the matron’s apartment does not have burglar proof.
Responding, Dr. Obaro, applauded ACOMIN for its good work in making sure the facilities are in good condition to dispense medical services. He promised that the Chairman of Patani local government council would do his best to address the challenges in the health facilities in order to improve health care delivery to the people.
Uwede, while appraising the ongoing free malaria treatment in designated communities in Isoko North LGA, thanked Dr. Stephen Demoteide or carrying out fumigation of Ovrode facility. He however, noted that the fumigation of the facility had brought a new challenge – the PVC used for the ceiling is falling off.
Continuing, Uwede added, “The community wants to be appreciated with a letter from the Council acknowledging their support in providing routine drugs to the facility, adding that fresh batch of the routine drugs would be provided when the Council had appreciated their kind gesture.
Uwede also briefed the ES, Dr. Demoteide that Emevor community had donated 30 beautiful plastic chairs to the facility in Emevor, stating that the gesture has addressed the hitherto challenge posed by lack of chairs in the facility. Continuing, Uwede added that the facility in Ozoro has a leaking roof, noting that some facilities in Isoko North are not fenced, and some of the quarters for the medical personnel are dilapidated.
He called on the Chairman of Isoko North local government council, Hon. Christian Iteire to address the challenges in order to improve health care delivery to the people.
Speaking, Dr. Stephen Demoteide said efforts were being made to address the challenges so as to ensuring the ongoing free malaria treatment continues unhindered. Continuing, He promised that the council will write letters of appreciation to the communities that are giving huge support to the smooth operation of the health facilities.
