Bayelsa leads other states of the federation in the commitment to health issues, including eye health and medical outreaches and has been honoured by the federal government with an award for the exceptional stride.
The state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe who initially received the award from the federal government used the opportunity of the 167th state executive council meeting to present it to the governor, Senator Douye Diri.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, on Thursday, quoted the commissioner said that the honour was in recognition of the administration’s effort in improving the health status of citizens.
According to the commissioner, “the award by the Federal Ministry of Health celebrates the governor’s unwavering support for healthcare initiatives, particularly those targeting preventable blindness and improved access to vision care in the rural areas.
“Bayelsa ranked behind the FCT in outreach performance, making it the top performing state among the 36 states of the federation. This award would not have been possible but for your extraordinary commitment to the leadership and governance of the health sector where you funded medical outreaches with emphasis on health initiatives in very-hard-to-reach areas of the state.
“Your Excellency, you did not only sponsor but also supported 100 per cent medical outreaches and specialised outreaches that were co-funded by corporate organisations. For instance, that of the NNPC Foundation, we were able to do 1000 cataract surgeries and all the patients also went home with different eye glasses.”
While receiving the award, Diri expressed excitement that out of 36 states of the federation, Bayelsa was honoured for its remarkable achievement in the health sector and noted that the award was an acknowledgment of the administration’s contributions in changing the health narrative of the people.
He stated that the ministry’s collaborative effort in advancing the general wellbeing of the citizens had brought honour to the state and expressed the optimism that the award would inspire him to do more.
At the same forum, the Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Chief Godspower Oporomo, presented an award received from the national executive of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) during the recent Ijaw Day to the governor in recognition of his developmental strides in Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation at large.
The Ijaw ethnic nationality’s foremost socio-cultural body commended the governor’s unwavering commitment to the unity, welfare, and advancement of the Ijaw people within Nigeria and in the diaspora.
