Focus on primary healthcare for children, pregnant women and the aged -Journalists advises Emmanuel

 

Mrs Idongesit Ashameri, The Chairman, Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalist, Akwa Ibom state council.

By Theresa Donatus, Uyo

Journalists under the auspices of the Correspondents'Chapel of the Nigerian union of Journalist, Akwa Ibom state council have drawn the attention of the state government to the deplorable condition of the primary healthcare services in the state  by asking that they should be better funded  and monitored to adequately take care of the infant, pregnant women and the aged.

It was gathered that the state was providing free healthcare to under-5 children, pregnant women and the aged  even as investigation had since proved that  even infant immunization is paid for, while treatment of malaria  in children of any age at government health centre, Wellington Bassey Way, close to Governor’s Office, Uyo, attracts between N3,000 and N6,000 per child.

In a communique signed by the Chairman of the Correspondents' Chapel, Mrs Idongesit Ashameri and the Secretary, Mr Isaiah Eka, to mark the one year anniversary of the administration, yesterday in Uyo,the group advised the State Ministry of Health to focus on revitalizing the primary healthcare delivery system,  especially with regards to pregnant and nursing mothers, as well as children under five years

Still in the communique, the Chapel called on contractors handling road projects in the state to accelerate their activities to ensure all the roads currently under construction are completed for inauguration before the end of  Udom Emmanuel’s administration.

But the Chapel equally asked the state ministry of works which commissioner recently disclosed that all road contractors have been mobilized with funds, to however take seriously the  supervision of all ongoing projects to ensure quality projects and timely completion.

While urging  journalists in the state and across the country to strictly adhere to the ethics of the profession, as political activities gathered momentum for the 2023 General elections, the Chapel  advised that ” journalists should not allow themselves to be used by political office holders/seekers as instruments to settle political scores.”

The Chapel urged politicians at both the state and national levels conduct their political activities in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act and Constitution of their respective parties to ensure that the forthcoming party primaries and the subseqjuent general elections are devoid of violence, bloodshed and unnecessary rancor, that would disrupt the peace that the state currently enjoys.

The union further called on journalists across the country to adhere to the ethics of the profession and not allow themselves to be used by politicians to settle scores.

"The Chapel urged politicians at both the state and national levels to conduct their political activities in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act and Constitution of their respective parties.  

"To ensure that the forthcoming party primaries and the general elections are devoid of violence, bloodshed and unnecessary rancour, that would disrupt the peace that the state currently enjoys.

"The Chapel urged members and all journalists in the state and across the country to strictly adhere to the ethics of the profession, as political activities gathered momentum for the 2023 General elections. 

"That journalists should not allow themselves to be used by political office holders/seekers as instruments to settle political scores," It stated.