By joshua 
Gov Nwifuru procures modern Medical equipments worth billions of Naira in Ebonyi
By Agbo Amuche, Abakaliki
The Governor of Ebonyi State Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has procured modern medical equipments worth billions of naira across the thirteen general hospitals and other health facilities in the State to address the health needs of the citizens.
The equipments included delivery beds, operating beds, other beds of different functions, among others.
Addressing newsmen in Abakaliki shortly after inspecting the medical equipments, the State Commissioner for health Dr. Moses Ekuma said the latest delivery of the medical equipment was the 4th tranche procured by Governor Francis Nwifuru to address the challenges in the general hospitals and other health facilities in the state.
He noted that with the procurement of the medical equipment, the major challenge in the health sector has been addressed by the state government.
He described power problem as another challenge the government wants to pay attention to in the health sector to enable health facilities to perform optimally.
The Commissioner said “we are taking delivery of 4th tranche of medical equipment procured by Ebonyi State government. We have had the first, the second, the third and when you total it, it’s about 26 40ft containers. It’s a welcome development because medical equipment and hospital consumables were part of the major challenge the state was having.
“With this, the major challenge in the health sector has been addressed though we have another serious challenge we are addressing too. Epileptic power supply has been a major problem in the country.
“So, we also plan to have alternative power supply to solarize the hospitals so that when the public power supply is not there, we can use the solar system.
“We also want to digitalize the hospitals. We want to have what we called electronic medical system where by punch of button, you can communicate another hospital when you want. We also need to have a specialized health care in our general hospitals.
“We are still expecting more hospital equipment but not as big as this 4th tranche. The ones we are expecting are heavy equipment like the MRI
and CT scan.
“The ones we are delivering now are; delivery beds, operating beds, side lockers, beds of different functions. We have two function beds, we have five function beds and all other equipment across the state”.
On his part, the State commissioner for information and orientation Engr. Jude Okpor applauded the State Governor Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for his kind disposition in prioritizing the health needs of Ebonyi people and other residents of the State.
The commissioner hinted that the procurement of the modern equipments and other consumables would positively impact on the health needs of the people of the State through improved health care services, early detection and treatment, enhance medical training, reduction in referral cases, promotion of preventive health care as well as treating emergency cases.
The information commissioner added that the welfare packages for the medical personnels in the general hospitals across the State in addition to the prochurement of the modern equipments are clear indications that the Governor is passionate at improving quality access to health care by the people of the State.
However, the commissioner enjoined the people of the State to always go to the general hospitals for their medical needs and shun patronizing quacks in their own best interest.