CHHELD ATTENDS STATE HEALTH TOWNHALL CONVERSATIONS ON COVID-19 TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN AFRICA (CTAP)

The State Health Sector with the State Health Commissioner took place at Visa Karena Hotel, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on the 31st day of October, 2023. The meeting had members from Civil Society organizations, Media, Rivers State Ministry of Health and Rivers State Primary Health care Management Board (RSPHCMB). It was aimed at fostering conversations on activities of COVID-19 Transparency and Accountability in Africa (CTAP). The session was facilitated by Mr. Semiye Michael, Executive Director of Dean initiative.

CTAP Field Activities Report:

CTAP project is a collaborative initiative implemented in nine (9) African countries (Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Nigeria). The CTAP Project is sponsored by Conrad Hilton Foundation and Skoll Foundation, and executed by BudgIT foundation, Connected Development and Global Integrity. In Nigeria, partnering organization, Dean Initiative works in six (6) states of the country to implement the CTAP project. In course of CTAP project implementation in Rivers State, townhall meetings and three (3) Focus Group Discussions (FGD) have been carried out in 3 communities; Igwuruta in Ikwerre LGA, Borokiri in Port Harcourt LGA and Rukpowu in Obio-Akpor LGA, and over 150 citizens across these LGAs were mobilized. Participants in these FGD sessions have shared personal experience about vaccination in Rivers State, project staff were able to debunks myths and misconceptions on COVID-19 vaccine intake, even as citizens express vaccine apathy and reservations. The focus group discussions gave participants opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification on the intake on COVID-19 vaccine.

 

Objectives of the CTAP project:

1. Educate and instill confidence on citizens on COVID-19 vaccine.

2. Promote community participation in building Primary Health Care Centres.

 

 

In course of CTAP project implementation, over 65 first-hand stories were shared about COVID-19 vaccine intake, 15 community health advocates have been empowered and over 170 infographics developed and distributed. The projects also seek to increase the visibilities of PHCs, disabuse the minds of citizens on government PHCs and build citizen’s activeness and interest in engaging the government and other relevant stakeholders.

Mr. Semiye Michael, Executive Director of Dean initiative facilitating the State Health Sector Townhall Conversations with the State Health Commissioner

In course of the program, stakeholders shared their concerns on the state of primary healthcare centres in the state. A staff of the RSPHCMB shared some services of the Primary health care centres, they include immunization, anti-natal/post-natal care, child birth, treatment of minor ailments, lab tests and minor surgeries. She pointed out that access to immunization and vaccination has led to mobile vaccination, where stations are located at strategic places in the state for citizens to be attended to.

 

 

Mr. Dandyson Harry Dandyson, the Executive Director of CHHELD, he encouraged that the research carried out in the CTAP project should be scaled up to focus on hard-to-reach marginalized riverine communities in the State. In order to ascertain the state of PHCs, he called for the training and re-training of health care workers in PHCs and health workers to be more empathetic towards patients. He pointed out that more punitive measures be meted on health centre workers for negligence and lack of professionality, which will serve as a deterrent to others.  

CHHELD Executive Director, Comrade Dandyson Harry Dandyson making contribution during program

Some stakeholders shared concern on the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine in PHCs in Rivers State, whereby some health care workers collect fees to administer the vaccines to citizens. Stakeholders also called for the ministry of health and the RSPHCMB to not relent in debunking of myths and misconceptions on the COVID-19, which will build trust and confidence in citizens. Mrs. Evelyn Williams, CODE state focal person pointed out some gaps in PHCs in the rural communities, such as abandoned PHCs, lack of personnel, WASH facilities, electricity and equipment.

Stakeholders at the end of discussions had demands and recommendations to the government of Rivers State, which will be communicated in writing.

Demands:

– Provision of physical infrastructure for Primary Healthcare centres in hard-to-reach communities in Rivers State.

– Carrying out of intensive renovation on the existing PHCs that no longer serving their purpose.

– Healthcare personnel posted in some communities do not stay in the communities because of lack of support, security and welfare.

 

Recommendation:

1. The Ministry of Health can set up a reporting channel which could be described as “community health policing” whereby community members can directly report the state of the PHCs and staff of the centre directly to the commissioner of health commissioner. This can also take the form of a mobile application.

2. Training and retraining of staff in PHCs

3. More awareness to be carried in debunking myths and misconceptions on COVID-19 vaccination.  

The State Health Commissioner, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh who was ably represented by the Executive Secretary Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr. Kinikanwo Innocent Green delivered a speech on the state of PHCs in Rivers State. Dr. Kinikanwo stated that primary health care is the basic care a citizen should receive and it should take care of 70% – 80% of the health care need of a nation. Primary health care is the heart beat of health care delivery and is very important in provision of Universal Health coverage. He stated the PHCs in Rivers State are focused on maternal and child health, and as such skilled health workers are available to attend to mothers and children. He pointed out that the Rivers State government is committed to the recruitment of more workers in the ongoing employment into the state civil service.

 

He mentioned that PHCs also carry out routine immunization and on national immunization days, messages are spread and outreaches are done in communities in Rivers State, including the hard-to-reach communities. The RSPHCMB takes cares of challenges in delivery of primary health care and counterpart funding are also received to enable the Board to ensure vaccines are distributed across the 344 PHCs in the state. Rivers State has a record of over 1.4 million persons which have taken the COVID-19 vaccine. He further went on to state that PHCs carry out routine care for all members of the public, as health care in PHCs are not meant for only women and children. 

CHHELD Executive Director, Comrade Dandyson Harry Dandyson making contribution during program

Dr. Kinikanwo Green mentioned that Rivers State is the first state in the south-south region of country to offer primary eye care and has been recognized by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH). The FMOH shall be partnering with the State in the provision of glasses to patients. He informed stakeholders that the efforts Rivers State in primary health care has been recognized and the state has been awarded the UNICEF Nigerian Governors Forum Award of $500,000 to support primary healthcare in the state. On personnel and infrastructural development of facilities, he spoke that maintenance is carried out in PHCs and periodic training is carried out for healthcare staff.

He concluded his speech by appreciating CSOs for the good work carried out in communities across the state and offering feedbacks to the government.

 

The program came to a close with stakeholders sharing concerns with the state health commissioner, stakeholders also called for periodic stakeholders’ engagement meeting with state ministry of health and RSPHCMB in order to improve health delivery in the state.

CSO members in Rivers State posing for a photograph
Group picture of participants at the State Health Sector Townhall Conversations on COVID-19 Transparency and Accountability in Africa (CTAP)

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