Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has reaffirmed his dedication to improving healthcare delivery through strategic collaborations with international partners such as Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation.
The governor stated this when he played host to members of Rotary International, led by the trustee chairman of the Rotary Foundation, Holger Knaack, at Government House, Uyo.
He expressed appreciation to the Rotary Foundation for selecting Akwa Ibom as a pilot state for the Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge.
Governor Eno, who is a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club, described the initiative as a timely intervention in line with his administration’s ARISE Agenda, which prioritizes child survival and maternal health.
Expressing his administration’s readiness to partner with Rotary International on health initiatives to improve the well-being of Akwa Ibom people, the governor explained that his administration has built and renovated primary healthcare centres across the 31 local government areas to ensure accessible and quality healthcare for residents.
All over the state, we are building and renovating primary healthcare centres. Recently, we awarded the single largest contract for the construction of an International Medical Centre to redefine medical tourism in this part of the country,” Eno stated.
The Country Lead of the Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge, Rotarian Dele Balogun, said the team was in Akwa Ibom State to support the State’s healthcare programmes, aimed at reducing child mortality from preventable diseases such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, and malaria.
He explained that the state was selected by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and sponsored by the Rotary Foundation as well as training of volunteers to conduct house-to-house sensitization, offer free test and treatment for common childhood ailments.
On his part, Rotary Foundation Trustee Chairman Holger Knaack reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to Nigeria’s health goals and the global fight against polio.
The highlight of the visit was when Mr. Holger Knaack, the team lead, presented Governor Pastor Umo Eno with the prestigious Rotary pin, recognizing his dedication to improving healthcare in Akwa Ibom State.
