Gov. Sule Tasked Rulers to Support Government on Provision of Portable Health Care
EBOH Baba Joseph- Lafia
The Executive Governor of Nasarawa State Engr. A.A Sule advanced a passionate appeal to traditional rulers and political office holders to support government by investing in the provision of quality health care. Sule made the appeal while flagging off Measles Containing Vaccine Second Dose –MCV2 into Routine Immunization Schedule/inauguration and handing over of Primary Health Care Facility to the state government, co-funded by Saving One Million Lives (SOMIL) and Abubakar Kana’s family on Monday 7th October, 2020 at Kana Apawu Agwada, Kokona local government.
Governor Sule emphasized the importance of “giving back to the society, the good virtue the society has invested in us as individuals or corporate body”, saying if all those who have the wherewithal to contribute to the development of the society would do so using what God has blessed them with, there will be less burden on government. The Governor commended the activities of the federal ministry of health, Kana’s Family and Saving One Million Lives for deploying their hard earned resources to better the health wellbeing of people of Kana Apawu, and by extension, Nasarawa state. He called on parents and caregivers to utilize the opportunity provided by the donation of the health care facility and the introduction of Measles Second Dose –MCV2 to take their children under two years to the nearest health facility so that they children can receive the second dose to completely protect them from measles infection.
Speaking earlier, the state commissioner of health, Pharm. Ahmed Baba lauded the policy thrust of His Excellency Engr. A.A Sule who is not relenting in his effort to provide quality leadership to the state across all sectors of governance in spite of the economic down-turn. Ahmed said the good will of the governor is manifested as evident in the procurement and distribution of modern hospital equipments to health institutions in the state. He acknowledged the value that SOMIL and Kana’s family brought to the health sector and Kana Apawu community in particular as it will go a long way in meeting the health need of the rural populace. He called on the community to make the most use of the facility.
Handing over the Model Health Care Centre to the state government, the Hon. Minister of Health, Osegie Ehanire, represented by the National Programme Manager, Saving One Million Lives, Dr. Ibrahim Kana thanked the Nasarawa state government for providing enabling atmosphere for Development Partners to operate and thrive. He acknowledged Governor Sule’s efforts towards provision of quality and affordable health care services, particularly to the rural communities. He opined that the siting of the project in Kana Apawu is a deliberate step towards assisting government to meet the health needs of rural dwellers. He equally praised the goodwill of the Kana’s family for investing in health which is the foundation of all wealth. He said when peoples’ health wellbeing is at the optimal level because they have access to good health care services, they will also perform optimally in all areas of their endeavours.
Dr. Ibrahim Kana, a Consultant Ophthalmologist with the Federal Ministry of Health and a son to Alh. Abubakar Kana, who spoke on behalf of the family, went down memory lane and expressed gratitude to God Almighty for bringing the dream of their father (Abubakar Kana) to fulfillment while he (Kana) is still alive. Dr. Ibrahim, whose speech was deeply immersed in emotion and laced with practical easy-to-relate experiences, stated how their father has always wanted a befitting and potable health care centre for his community. In his word “our father has always look forward to seeing that day that his country home –Kana Apawu would have a standard health care centre where the people can access quality health care services.” As according to him, one of their father’s heart desires has been realized while that of the university is in steady progress to realization. Ibrahim was thankful to their father for teaching them the value of investing in the lives of other people for the good of humanity, saying no individual is bigger than his community.
Speaking during the closing remarks, the Executive Chairman of Nasarawa Primary Healthcare Development Agency Dr. Usman Mohammed Adis who could not whitewash his inner joy spoke elatedly as he appreciated and thanked His Excellency Engr. A.A Sule for creating viable environment for incubating and hatching profitable ideas as seen in the collaborative effort between Federal Ministry of Health through Saving One Million Lives for Result (SOMIL for R) and Alh. Abubakar Kana’s family, for building, equipping, and donating the multimillion naira health centre attached with ambulance to the state, for the benefit of the public. Dr. Adis then admonished the Kana Apawu community and its environs to patronize the health centre for their health need, saying the facility has the capacity to cater for the community’s health challenges.
