THIS DAY

The existing partnership between the Delta State Government and Marie Stopes International non-governmental Organization in Nigeria, geared towards addressing certain health needs and challenges of the people, has received a boost with the opening of a medical facility in Asaba, the state capital.

The inauguration of the Marie Stopes Medical Centre, Asaba coincides with the centenary of the international non-governmental organisation, and the sixth in the country since the renowned healthcare brand was incorporated in Nigeria in 2009 as a modern fertility or family planning facility.

In his remarks at the inauguration, the Country Director of Marie Stopes International Organization in Nigeria, Mr Effiom N. Effiom, noted the new centre was in furtherance of a tradition of operating “medical centres of excellence in Nigeria” in line with its objective of reducing maternal and neonatal mortality through quality healthcare delivery.

Effiom said, “This phase of our engagement with Delta State sees us working collaboratively with the Delta State Contributory Health Commission to scale up healthcare service delivery centres with the aim of reducing maternal and neonatal deaths in the state.

“Part of our 2030 strategy is to focus on strengthening the quality of healthcare through effective and sustainable private and public sector engagement.

“In Delta State, through collaboration with the State Ministry of Health and the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, we trained over 150 providers to strengthen the health service delivery and the health system, ensuring quality care, client satisfaction and client safety.”

Effiom commended the state government for partnering with the organisation by creating an enabling environment for effective and impactful service delivery, saying, “The Marie Stopes Organisation will be supporting the Delta State Ministry of Health with 60 primary healthcare facilities to strengthen the health system in the state.”

The Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG), Chief Patrick Ukah, who was represented by an Executive Assistant Special Duties, Mr Onyeluka Igbonoba, urged the organisation to step up its activities across the state to complement the Okowa administration’s efforts at equitable distribution of quality healthcare facilities across the 25 local government areas of the state in the last six years.

Inaugurating the medical facility, the Permanent Secretary, Delta State Ministry of Health, Dr Ejiro Ogheneaga, expressed appreciation for the contribution of Marie Stopes Nigeria towards stengthening quality standards within the state’s health system and sued for its sustainance especially in the light of the growing need for quality health services.

Ogheneaga, who was represented by the Director of Medical Services of the ministry, Dr Chris Iwegbu, said that 100 years existence of the Marie Stopes International Organization bore eloquent testimony to its frontline position “in the effective delivery of health services.”

“The opening of the Marie Stopes Medical Centre Asaba is another milestone and contribution that will expand access to quality and client-centred healthcare delivery, especially for women and children.”

He disclosed that aside supporting the private sector healthcare service providers since 2013, which has paved the way for the establishment of over 40 facilities offering “quality family planning services across the state”, the organisation was working in collaboration with the Delta State Contributory Health Commission “to take over, upgrade and manage some PHCs under the public-private partnership scheme.”