Governor Siminalayi Fubara told the representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO) that his administration will focus more on the health sector in the 2025 state budget.
The Governor noted this during the visitation of the WHO representative spearheaded by the Country Representative, Dr. Kazadi Walter Molumbo, on Thursday at Government House in Port Harcourt.
Governor Fubara told the WHO representatives that Rivers people deserve an accessible, reliable, affordable, and functional healthcare system to keep them healthy.
While speaking, he highlighted the needs and importance of the huge budgetary allocation to the health sector in the 2025 budget with the aim of preventing cholera and other health-related disease outbreaks.
Noting that the health sector was not given adequate attention, including the zonal hospitals, which were left abandoned as of when he assumed office as the state governor.
“As a matter of fact, in our 2025 budget, we have three key areas: health, education, and agriculture. They are our key areas in our 2025 budget. We believe that when we roll out that budget, a greater part of the health issues and services will be accommodated.”
“I know quite alright that one of the most important things, if we go by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda: affordable healthcare is one major thing that is a key target, and it is something the World Health Organisation (WHO) is working to make sure that it shouldn’t just be an item for the privileged, but even the less-privileged in society should afford it and fast too.
“So, as a government, when we came on board, we also knew that one very important area that we needed to touch on was healthcare. Development cannot be complete if the health sector is abandoned. So, we did all we could within our power to make sure that we revitalised that area, ” Governor Fubara said while addressing the representatives of WHO.
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However, he commented on his achievements regarding the health sector, noting that the primary healthcare system has been revived compared to its former state of appearance before becoming the governor of Rivers State.
In response, Dr. Kazadi Walter Molumbo, the Country Representative of the WHO, complimented the state government for his efforts in seeking better healthcare delivery for the people of Rivers State as he targets achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Molumbo emphasised that Nigeria, among other countries, is behind schedule in achieving the target for the SDGs by 2030 and highlighted the need for a global call.
Also, he thanked the government for his move to complete the zonal hospital and revitalise the health sector for the well-being of the people of Rivers State.
