… Flag off Cohort 2.0
By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
The Federal Government and the Imo State Government have urged graduates of the National Health Fellows Programme from various LGAs in Imo State to ensure that the knowledge and skills they acquired during their training translate into positive impacts in their communities.
The charge was given on Thursday, March 12, during the graduation ceremony of the programme’s Cohort 1.0 Fellows in Owerri. The event jointly organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Imo State Ministry of Health and Social Services, also featured the onboarding of participants into Cohort 2.0 of the initiative.
Declaring the event open, the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, represented by the Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, described the programme as a vital initiative aimed at equipping emerging health leaders with the skills, competencies, knowledge, and networks required to advance healthcare delivery.
Ekomaru noted that the state government has prioritized building a healthy population by implementing policies and programmes that expand access to quality healthcare for residents. She also commended the Federal Government for its impactful healthcare policies, emphasizing the importance of health to economic growth, social security, and national development.
She reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and congratulated the Cohort 1 Fellows for successfully completing the programme. According to her, their achievement demonstrates patriotism, resilience, and a strong desire to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of Nigerians. She also encouraged members of Cohort 2 to maintain good conduct throughout their training.
Similarly, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by the Deputy Director of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr. Omoruyi Iyahen, stated that the programme was established to strengthen healthcare delivery across the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Iyahen described the partnership between the Federal Government and Imo State in strengthening healthcare systems as rewarding. He congratulated the graduating fellows and charged them to serve their communities diligently and professionally to improve public health outcomes.
Delivering the keynote address, the Imo State Commissioner for Health and Social Services, Dr. Chioma Egu, described the occasion as historic. She noted that the collaboration between the Federal and State Governments highlights the strategic importance of health in governance and recognizes healthcare as the foundation of human capital development, economic growth, and social stability.
Dr. Egu further outlined the government’s investments in primary healthcare delivery, including initiatives in maternal and child health, improvements in disease surveillance systems, upgrades to health infrastructure, and expanded access to essential healthcare services across communities.
She urged the graduating fellows to make meaningful contributions to society while upholding ethical conduct and professionalism, while encouraging participants of Cohort 2.0 to make the best of their training.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Mr. Magnus Chidiebere Agbakwu from Ehime Mbano Local Government Area thanked God and the programme’s organizers for the opportunity to be empowered to contribute to societal development. He pledged that the fellows would work to improve healthcare delivery within their communities.
Among stakeholders who attended the event were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Uju Nwokejiobi; the Executive Secretary of the Imo State Health Insurance Agency (IMSHIA), Dr. Uchenna Ewelike; the Imo State Coordinator of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Wadzingi Bass; and the Director-General of the Imo State Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr. Chidimma Okoro.
The event was chaired by the Chief of Staff, Government House Owerri, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Emeka Agbor. The ceremony featured the presentation of certificates to the graduating Cohort 1.0 Fellows and the onboarding of new participants into Cohort 2.0.
A presentation titled “NHF Programme: Strengthening Nigeria’s Health Systems through Leadership, Innovation and Service” was delivered by Dr. Udeji George during the ceremony.
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