Wednesday, 16th June 2021: Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has urged the Federal Government to implement the National Health Act to enhance healthcare delivery in the country.

Okowa made the call on Tuesday in Asaba during the inauguration of Asaba Specialist Hospital.

He said the full implementation of the Act would promote effective healthcare delivery for pregnant women and children.

The governor said healthcare delivery would become more effective with the implementation of the Act.

“There will be more robust access to healthcare services across the country if the basic healthcare fund becomes operational,” he said.

He described the 220-bed hospital as a well-planned facility established in the interest of public health in the state.

“The facility has already admitted no fewer than 70, 000 patients since it became operational.

“Out of this number, 30,000 are children below the age of five, this shows the importance of this facility to the health of the future generation,” Okowa said.

He said the state government had established a contributory health insurance scheme to ensure affordable healthcare.

In his speech, Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, commended the state government for its vision to cater for the health of the people.

“ We can all see the transformation made possible by the current administration in the state,” Fintiri said.

It would be recalled that the National Health Act 2014 was signed into law on Oct. 31, 2014.

It provides a legal framework for the regulation, development and management of Nigeria’s health system.