By Habibatullah Onakpa Abdallah
Kogi state Government has restated its readiness to strengthening Primary Healthcare System in the state.
State Commissioner of Health, Doctor Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza stated this in a message to the flag off of distribution of Glucometers and Test Strips to Primary Health Care Facilities across the twenty one local government Areas in the state.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health,Mr Steve Azeez Momoh described Diabetes as a fast growing public health challenge contributing to mortality and economic burden on families and the health system.
He said the Distribution exercise represent a significant step in the collective effort to prevent,detect and manage diabetes Mellitus.
Doctor Abdulazeez expressed gratitude that the initiative included free testing of community members and free distribution of Glucometers and Test Strips that has brought essential services closer to the people at the grassroot.
In his message to the flag off, the Executive Director Kogi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Doctor Mauzu Omeiza Musa explained that the distribution was made possible with the support from the Federal Ministry of Health.
The Executive Director who was represented by the Director Disease Control and Immunization, Mrs Deborah Odaudu explained that each Local Government Area is expected to carry out massive screening at the Health facilities for individuals and those with high blood sugar are given free devices for self monitoring at home.
He appreciated the Federal Ministry of Health for supporting the effort of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo whom he said has invested heavily in the health sector and also commissioner of health, Doctor Abdulazeez Adams for ensuring the timely arrival of the testing devices from Abuja.
The Executive Director commended representatives of the Local Government Authorities and urged them to monitor the exercise to ensure it’s success “we expect quality data from your LGAs at the end of this exercise as they will help the state to plan better” He said.
There were good will Messages from Representatives of the National Health Care Development Agency, World Health Organisation, UNICEF and the Head of Department Health Lokoja Local Government, Mr Umar Bochi.
High point of the occasion includes free blood sugar screening and counselling.
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