Leadership (Abuja)
Bernard Tolani Dada
26 December 2008
Uyo — Akwa Ibom State government has said its commitment to the wellbeing of the people is total and uncompromising. Deputy Governor, Engr Patrick Ekpotu, restated this commitment while flagging-off the Measles and Meningitis Early Warning Campaign in Ukanafun. According to the deputy governor, the commitment informed the policy of the administration among others to institute free medical care for children under the age of five and the elderly.
At the event, which was packaged by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in conjunction with the Akwa Ibom State government, Ekpotu said because children could easily get meningitis, "it would be a great disservice not just to children but to our own future, if for any reason, we fail to keep our children in good health." The deputy governor, who was represented at the occasion by a Principal Administrative Officer, Mr. Nkopuruk N. Ekaiko, urged parents to always seek medical attention as soon as "they suspect that their children and wards have meningitis or if they exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, headache, lethargy or convulsion, neck stiffness, rash and fever."
Emphasising that his administration "is poised to enhance the health of the people, knowing that a healthy citizenry will sustain our developmental strides," directed the Ministry of Health to increase the number of Akwa Ibom children vaccinated every year. Giving his welcome remarks, the Chairman of Ukanafun, Hon. Aniekan Sylvester Akpan, assured that health posts would be spread across the local government area to ensure easy access by people at the grassroots. Applauding the state government for its policy of free medical treatment for children and the aged, Hon Akpan urged the people to always respond to ailments by going to the hospitals, instead of patronising prayer houses, which were not equipped to handle medical cases.
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