Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has emphasized the need for adequate investment in primary healthcare to address the inefficiencies and stunted growth in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He made this remark during a meeting with key health sector stakeholders, including the state commissioner for health and local government chairmen.
Ewhrudjakpo noted that secondary and tertiary health institutions are overburdened due to the suboptimal performance of the primary healthcare system, highlighting that many health concerns handled by general and specialist hospitals should ideally be managed by primary healthcare centres.
“As you are aware, primary healthcare is the bedrock of the health system. In fact, in other parts of the world, primary healthcare is the gatekeeper. If you want a successful healthcare system, you cannot neglect primary healthcare,” Ewhrudjakpo stated.
He proposed the introduction of a ‘rural posting allowance’ to motivate health workers serving in remote communities and urged local government chairmen to ensure effective supervision of healthcare personnel.
Ewhrudjakpo acknowledged that Bayelsa State has made significant progress in primary healthcare through its partnership with the GAVI intervention programme.
The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, commended the deputy governor for facilitating partnerships with international organisations to improve healthcare services in the state.
Brisibe emphasized the importance of the Bayelsa Health Law and called on the government to allocate more funds for routine immunisation and other primary healthcare activities.
