Former Cross River State Commissioner for Health and Deputy National Coordinator, National Cash Transfer Office, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has advocated for multi sectoral approach to manage pandemic outbreak at all times and private sector investments in the health sector.
She stated this on Tuesday as guest of the Prime Time News on Arise TV, one of Africa’s most sort after channels.
Dr Ekpenyong, a public health and health financing expert who also served as Director General of the Cross River state Primary Healthcare Development Agency in Cross River State called for revitalisation of the Primary Healthcare sector which she said should be made accessible at all times.
She noted that outbreaks like the recently recorded cholera could be well managed by proper sensitization on prevention and adequate treatment, also a more sustainable approach will be the private sector complimenting the efforts of government in bringing into actualisation the proposed “One Primary Healthcare Centre per ward or one Health post per community” and the provision of safer water sources such as borehole in communities without safe drinking water.
According to her, a lot of efforts still needs to be put in place to ensure that Quality and Affordable Healthcare is enjoyed by all Nigerians while calling on investments on Human Resources such as Doctors, Midwives, Community Health Workers, Environmental Officers ,Nurses who could render prompt response in times of emergencies.
She regrets the current casualties recorded on the recent Cholera Outbreak in the country while also admonishing Nigerians to imbibe the culture of Good hand and personal hygiene, proper environmental sanitation and the consumption of healthy foods which remains the best approach in curbing the Disease.
“Health is everyone’s responsibility, not just government, Nigerians both in the Rural and urban areas deserve the best form of health services.
We expect that there should be at least a health facility and in those communities, there should be basic drugs for basic services and manpower, that will help strengthen services at the grassroot.
Primary Health is the foundation of health sector and the Federal Government is doing a lot to see how it can strengthen the sector.
The Government have been proactive in tackling diseases, which is why we have recorded some successes with fewer casualties recorded in the recent outbreak.
Human resource for health is another challenge globally , but the employment of health workers will go a long way in tackling the challenge.
According to her, “Disease outbreak is inevitable with weather playing significant roles, especially in the rainy season where there’s flood in many communities”.
She further highlighted the roles of the Primary Healthcare in pandemic management.
“We know that the Primary Healthcare has a huge role to play in curtailing these outbreaks through their responses, which is necessary for the facilities to be equipped and manned.
If you’re looking for where to invest as a private sector, look into the primary Health sector, as strengthening the health system is everyone’s responsibility.
One of the best ways to tackling outbreaks is by sensitization, involving the community health workers , environmental officers, CSOs, as it requires a multi sectoral approach.
Personal hygiene, sanitation and ban on open defecation , isolate victims and ensure proper hydration and treatment, ensure foods
Hygiene and functional health facilities. Ensure the set up of Emergency response team at the various LGAs and communities, they should be on alert.
Vaccines provide immunity , albeit short, hence the need to harp on prevention , we also hope that Africa will be producing the vaccines and also hope that Nigeria gets vaccine soon to help in curtailing the outbreak”
So far, over 50 deaths have been recorded, while another 1500 cases have been recorded across the 36 states of the country.
