Delta govt scores international organisation high over health system intervention

Delta State government has expressed appreciation  over the contribution of an international organisation, Marie Stopes Nigeria, in the development of healthcare services in the state.

According to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Ejiro Oghenega, the  non-governnent  organisation had been instrumental in strengthening quality standards within the state health system.

Speaking at the grand opening of the organisation’s medical centre down town  Asaba,  Oghenega noted that the event marked  another milestone and contribution that would expand access to quality and client-centred healthcare delivery, especially for women and children.

Oghenega, represented by the Director of Medical Services in the ministry, Dr Chris Iwegbu, stated: “Marie Stopes Nigeria currently supports about 60 primary healthcare facilities across the state and have trained  over 150 providers  from 2015 when the organisation commenced major intervention and partnership with our public sector facilities.

“They have also supported the private sector providers in the state through their social franchise model tagged ‘Blue Star’ which commenced in 2013 and did provide the pathway for quality family planning services for over 40  of these facilities spread  accros the state.

“Marie Stopes,  I can confirm is working  collaboratively with the Delta State Contributory Health Commission to take over, upgrade and manage some PHCs under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme.

“Their support has covered provider capacity building and competency assessment with over 150 providers trained by Marie Stopes on contraceptive technology, strengthening supportive supervisor and data quality and reporting, while enabling sustainable demand generation for services  through community mobilization.”

Earlier,  Country Director of the organisation, Sir Effiom N. Effiom, said  the body, which was founded in 2009, is  part of the global Marie Stopes International (MSI) reproductive choices partnership operational in 37 countries.

“Since its inception, MSION has worked collaboratively with the state government, the private and non state actors  to increase access to high quality and affordable sexual and reproductive health services for all people across Nigeria.

“We are guided by the vision of a “world on which every birth  is wanted” and a mission to empower women and couples all over Nigeria to have children by choice not chance.”

Effiom appreciated the state government for the partnership and creating an enabling environment that has ensured productive relationship.

He emphasised that through the opening of the Asaba centre, Marie Stopes Nigeria had renewed its commitment to the people and government of the state.

Chairman, the state House of Assembly Committee on Health, Austin Oroye, described the presence of the organisation in the state as a laudable concept, imploring the operators  to extend the medical centre to other parts of the state.

National President of Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Dr Mimi Oseji, the chairman of the state Contributory Health Commission, Dr Isaac Akpoveta and his  Director-General, Dr Ben Nkechika, among others,who delivered goodwill messages, commended the international organisation for its intervention in the health system of the state, urging others to borrow a leaf  and do the needful.

Highlight of the ceremony was the inauguration of the medical facility by the permanent secretary and tour  of it  by governnent officials, medical personnel and business community.

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