By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Ebonyi state government has Procured Medical Equipment worth billions of Naira for all the 13 local councils in the state.

The procurement was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Lucy Anyim, Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ebonyi State Ministry of Health.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma who commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for procuring the medical equipment, stated that the gesture was part of his campaign promises as captured in his people's charter of needs agenda.

He made the commendation while receiving medical equipment such as ambulance accessories, syringes, oxygen trolley among others from the CEO Nkwegu medicals at Ochudo Centenary City Abakaliki.

Ekuma, who was represented by the Director Medical Services, Dr. Ezeogo Lawrence summarized Governor's accomplishment in the health sector and promised that they would make good use of the materials to ensure that the people have access to best medical care.

He pointed out that the State would soon become a medical tourist centre.

His words: “The target is to make sure that Ebonyi State is the next medical tourist centre in Nigeria. So that you don't need to waste your time, you don't need to waste your money going to America, going to Europe to seek for medical services”.

Ezeogo stated that the state government ensuring timely delivery used indigenous contractor to procure the equipment adding that many Ebonyians would become billionaires before he completes his eight years tenure.

On his part, the Chief Executive/Hospital Administrator, State Hospital Management Board (SHMB), Dr. Nwali James Okata, applauded the Governor for knowing the needs of the people via his manifesto adding that with the consignment and other achievements recorded, he has reactivated the comatose health system by making the general hospitals functional

He promised that they would give the people 24 hours qualitative healthcare to complement the effort of the Governor and encouraged them to continue to pray to God to give him more wisdom and energy to pilot the affairs of the State

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer Nkwegu Medicals, Dr. Nkwegu Ogechi, said that they came to hand over the consumables to the Commissioner for Health and lauded the State Government for contracting the company to supply the medical equipment.

In a vote of thanks, the Executive Secretary, Ebonyi State Drug and Medical Commodity Management Agency, Pharmacist Jioke Chiwendu Rosemary, appreciated the Governor for establishing the agency and provision of equipment as well as consumables.

While she maintained that the agency would ensure continuous availability of medical commodities and essential drugs at affordable prices, she assured that they would discharge their duties effectively.