South East breaking News
By Steve Unegbu
The Governor of Abia state, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu said that the establishment of primary Health Centers in every ward of the State, is to tackle the health needs of the citizenry.
Governor Ikpeazu, stated this while flagging off the First National Executive Council Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Medical Women ‘s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) ,held at the Hotel Du Golf, Aba,pointed out that the introduction of the Telehealth Service is to link the Primary Health Centers with services of doctors for cases that are beyond them for easy diagnosis prescription and services .
The Abia state Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Rt Hon . Sir, Ude Okochukwu, commended the Medical Women’s Association for partnering with his administration to achieve his cardinal policy on health care, through effective collaboration with Abia state University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) ,Donation of boreholes ,Free Cancer ,genotype and blood test screening, among others.
He described the theme of the conference, “Security Issues : The Nigerian Women In Focus “, as very timely and assured them that State government will continue to prioritize security in the state in line with its status as one of the safest states in the country
In her speech, the National president of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria(MWAN) ,Dr. Minnie Oseji, said her association has made a very good start with the launch of the Women ‘s Right to Health Information (WORTH) ,Project on Breast -self Examination in 6 States of the country namely : Delta, Kogi, Kebbi, Ondo, Kaduna and Ogun States in October 2019 .
According to her, ” MWAN has remarkable Medical Women all over the country who are eager to contribute their own quota to improving the health sector in Nigeria. We are advocating to Governments at local, State and National to give these Medical Women appointments “
Dr. Oseji, pointed out that, the MWAN plans to increase participation in the activities of the NMA, disclosing that their objective is to aggressively advocate for transparency in the health sector as well as timely implementationof resolutions ,revealing that MWAN will continue to mobilise more African Medical Women to carry out programmes that contribute to improving health indices on reducing maternal and child mortality.
She lamented on the increase incidence of Gender -Based Violence, hinted that MWAN is being strategically positioned to make a significant contribution, through effective reporting of cases they encounter in the course of their work, while commended the Abia state branch of MWAN under the leadership of Dr Chika Uche for working hard to ensure the success of their 2019 meeting.
In her goodwilll message, the Abia state chairman of NMA and past President of Abia MWAN, Dr (Mrs) Carol Ejiro Iwuoha, expressed joy that Abia state branch of MWAN has stood and grown to the level of hosting the National meeting, while welcoming the International President of MWAN, Dr Eleanor Nwadinobi, the National president ,Dr Minnie Oseji and all MWAN delegates to Abia state, even as she appreciated the Abia state MWAN president, Dr Chika Uche and her Executives on their giant strides in various impactful health programs.
Earlier on , the President of MWAN, Abia State chapter, Dr Mrs Chika Uche ,stated that, Abia state MWAN is moving forward, noted that “during our inauguration, we set out to do a lot of projects which include : A building for cancer and other screenings ,breast and cervical cancer screening, Radio and television health talks, provision of 4 toilets and sinking of borehole for a secondary school in Abia”
She revealed that MWAN Abia state has built and donated four toilets to Ayaba Umueze Community secondary school, reactivated their non-active Functional borehole ,bought toilet facilities and provided 5000KV generator to enable them have constant water,adding that the Association has been deeply involved in breast and cervical cancer screening .
Speaking further, Dr Uche maintained that, ” MWAN Abia had collaboration with the office of Her Excellency Deaconess Nkechi Ikpeazu (vicar Hope Foundation) in the following : screening 230 Students for sickle cell, Blood group testing, micronutrient screening, eye -checks ,infectious disease screening and provision of free school uniform for about 60 indigent students of Ayaba Umueze secondary school Aba “
She pointed out other achievements of Abia MWAN, to include carrying out genotype and blood group test of 513 students of Boys Technical College Aba ,Umuocham Girls ‘s Secondary school and Brain Trees Secondary school ,added that, five months ago, the Abia state MWAN lay a foundation of two storey building for screening Centre and Hematology complex.
She thank the National President Dr Minnie Oseji for visiting Abia state, describing her as “a God fearing woman,a woman of honour and a goal getter to pilot the affairs of the association,while welcoming the International president, who according to her, ” by Divine ordination, is currently wearing a Cap that has never been worn by any Nigerian female doctor in the history of Nigeria. The first time in one hundred years of the existence of Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA) a Nigerian, few days was sworn in as the Sitting President and to the glory of God that Nigerian is present in this hall ” she said.
The Abia state MWAN Boss, commended the Governor of Abia state, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, Sir and Lady Obi. B. Dike, Chief Gregory Okafor, ABSUTH management and Board Members, NMA members, College Lecturers ABSU, medical students and others who had contributed immensely to the success of the building project ,even as she praise all members of Abia state MWAN ,who worked tirelessly for the success of the program, while applauding the Abia state NMA chairman, Dr Carol Ejiro Iwuoha for her mentorship.