Uzodimma: We’re Tackling Deficit In Health Sector Frontally

*Lauds Doctors On Medical Outreach In Imo

Sen. Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State, has praised the dedication and patriotism of medical practitioners from the United States of America who are now in Imo State for a medical outreach.

While congratulating the doctors on their desire to return home to contribute to the well-being of the Imo people, Governor Uzodimma, who hosted them to a dinner Tuesday night, reminded them that his government has been confronting the health sector deficit head-on since assuming office in 2020.

He stated that it is heartening to observe that, while some of their colleagues are preoccupied with traveling beyond Nigeria to ply their trade, the visiting team of US-based doctors is eager to return home to be with their families.

The Governor thanked them for coming and assured them that his government was poised to fill the gaps in the health sector and appealed to them to support the people and government in strengthening the health sector of the State.

Governor Uzodimma expressed delight in hearing that some Nigerian doctors living in the United States want to come back to practice here and help their people contrary to the desire of those at home struggling to travel abroad.

He recalled that on the assumption of duty in 2020, he discovered that “80 per cent of deaths in Imo State are avoidable and as a result of lack of good medical care” hence the determination of his government to “confront the deficit in the healthcare sector frontally.”

He therefore prayed to God to protect the genuine and patriotic doctors who come to Nigeria always to do charity work, noting that “their actions translate to statesmanship, patriotism and commitment.”

While he promised to make the doctor’s stay in Imo a meaningful one, the Governor assured that before they leave he will make an effort to ensure they interface with the stakeholders in Imo State.

The Chairman of the Board of Imo Medical Mission, Dr. Stanley Okoro commended the Governor’s wisdom in bringing them back after about three years of absence.

He said that the main goal of the Mission is to ensure that the healthcare in Imo State is better and stronger. “If the health sector in Imo State is solid there will be no need for medical missions.”

He promised that members of his team would do their best within the short period they were around to help the people and expressed gratitude to the Governor once more for inviting him while hoping that they would be invited again.

Finally, Dr. Okoro commended the Governor on his intervention in infrastructure in Imo State, particularly on road, and singled out the quality of the road from Owerri-to-Orlu which he described as the best road that he has ever plied as a son of Orlu.

The medical outreach which is currently taking place simultaneously at the Specialist Hospital Umuguma in Owerri and the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu is slated to last for 10 days.

No less than 3,500 patients with different health issues are registered to be attended to by the visiting doctors in collaboration with their colleagues practicing in Imo State.