As stakeholders intensify efforts to curb rising health challenges affecting pregnant women and infants, the government has urged residents of Rivers State to take ownership of improved Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state. The call was made during a town hall meeting organised by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board in Port Harcourt.
Community Engagement Key to Healthcare Reform
Speaking at the event, Director of Community Services at the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, Mrs Joy Wehioka, said the forum was designed to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and communities benefiting from grassroots health services. According to her, community feedback remains crucial in shaping policies and improving healthcare delivery at the local government level. She stressed that meaningful reforms can only succeed when residents actively participate in conversations surrounding healthcare improvements.
The Rivers State Coordinator of the NPHCDA, Mrs Gloria Phillips, challenged communities to see healthcare facilities as their collective responsibility, urging residents to contribute ideas and support that would help health workers deliver better services. She lamented the poor state of some facilities, noting that several centres have been left unkempt and overgrown with weeds due to a lack of community involvement. “We want you to take ownership of the health facilities around you,” Phillips stated.
International Partners Pledge Support
Also speaking, a representative of the World Health Organisation, Mr Godspower Waribokor, assured participants of continued collaboration with the Rivers State Government to improve access to quality healthcare services. Similarly, representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Mr Pelemokumo Segu-Baghabo, emphasised the need to prioritise children’s health and called for stronger grassroots support for healthcare programmes. “The Ministry of Health and the board cannot do this alone if those at the community level do not put their hands and hearts into doing the work,” he said.
Participants at the meeting also raised concerns over the lack of employment opportunities for volunteer healthcare workers and called for retraining programmes to equip personnel with modern healthcare skills. The town hall attracted religious leaders, traditional rulers, healthcare workers and other stakeholders, who examined challenges hindering access to healthcare services at the grassroots level.
