The Rivers State Ministry of Health has stressed the need for evidence-based planning, accurate data collection and strategic investment to achieve a more effective healthcare system in the state and the country at large.
The Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Vincent Nwachuku, made the call during a Health Labour Market Analysis, HLMA, workshop and data collection exercise held in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Nwachuku explained that the programme, organised by the State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, WHO, was designed to address critical challenges affecting the health sector. These challenges include inadequate funding, shortage of skilled health professionals, migration of healthcare workers and increasing attrition in the system.
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He noted that healthcare workers remain the backbone of every health system, stressing that proper planning and investment in manpower development were essential for quality healthcare delivery.
According to him, reliable data would help government and stakeholders make informed decisions capable of improving health services across the state. Evidence-based health workforce planning is widely recognized as crucial to achieving universal health coverage.
Also speaking, the Assistant Director of Human Resources for Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. John Okobia, said the outcome of the programme would produce practical policies tailored to the real needs of Rivers people rather than theoretical solutions.
Dr. Okobia expressed confidence that the initiative would lead to improved healthcare outcomes and strengthen the overall health sector in the state.
