By CHARLES IWUOHA

Over one million children and women have been pencilled down to benefit from a three-month long Modified Integrated Medical Outreach Programme (MI-MOP) in Enugu State.

The MI-MOP programme is taking place simultaneously in eight council areas in the state, which included; Aninri, Ezeagu, Igboeze South, Igboeze North, Nkanu East, Nsukka, Oji River and Uzo Uwani.

Flagging-off the programme at Nsukka Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) on Tuesday, Wife of Enugu State Governor, Mrs Monica Ugwuanyi, urged children under two as well as nursing mothers, pregnant women and women in general to take advantage of the programme.

Ugwuanyi, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Ikechukwu Obi, advised council chairmen, traditional and religious leaders to mobilise children and women to participate fully in the programme meant to reduce the disease burden in the state.

She lauded Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the massive investment his government had given to the healthcare sector and people-oriented governance in the state.

“This programme will be thoroughly evaluated and we will want our mothers/caregivers participating in this programme to keep evidence of the services they receive such as immunisation cards, other cards or tag given to them,” she said.

In an address, Dr George Ugwu, Executive Secretary, Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA), said that MI-MOP would provide free primary healthcare services such as immunisation, treatment of minor ailments, health education and promotion, counseling, etc.

Ugwu said: “Over 1,146 healthcare workers as well as 873 community resource persons and volunteers have been well trained and empowered with skills on COVID-19 protocol and guidelines for the programme.

“We sincerely thank our amiable Gov. Ugwuanyi for always approving our programmes and releasing the government cash contributions to the programme for effective implementation.

“We cannot overemphasise the solid support we get from Her Excellency the Wife of the Governor, Mrs Monica Ugochi Ugwuanyi, through her U-TOLF Foundation on behalf of mothers and children of Enugu State.”

In a goodwill message, the Board Chairman of ENS-PHCDA, Dr Chijioke Asogwa, noted that the positive narrative in the PHC sub-sector is predicated on good governance in Enugu State.

Asogwa said that ENS-PHCDA was been encouraged by support of its international and national partners especially the U-TOLF Foundation aimed at achieving universal and comprehensive health coverage for all in the state.

Dr Eric Nweze, Zonal Coordinator of National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), said that for some years now, Enugu State had improved in all its PHCDA indicators and exercises.

“We are delighted to see ENS-PHCDA and Enugu State improve in all ramification and we are proud of such achievement that comes through commitment and investment in the health sector especially in PHC,” Nweze, who spoke on behalf of other national partners, said.

In an address, the Chairman of Nsukka Council Area, Mr Cosmos Ugwueze, said that his administration had intervened in five health facilities, which previously not completed, but today completed and are waiting for commissioning.

Ugwueze appreciated Gov. Ugwuanyi for renovating and revitalising some PHC centres in the council and upgrading them to Type-3 PHC as well as the quantum of medication donated to the council by U-TOLF Foundation.

“Today, Nsukka is a city courtesy of Gov. Ugwuanyi administration. We continue to thank God for this great favour,” he added.

One of the beneficiaries of the programme, Mrs Nkechi Ugwueze, thanked the state government, ENS-PHCDA and U-TOLF foundation for the prenatal health package given to her.

“I am grateful to God for having this package free-of-charge and I thank our people-loving governor for all his good intentions for us,” Ugwueze said.

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