Udom Emmanuel’s health care investments critical to national security, says Jonathan

The priortisation of healthcare by Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom state, is a key component of national security and welfare of the people, former President Goodluck Jonathan, has said.

The former president said this while inaugurating the reconstructed Ikot Ekpene General Hospital Phase 1, in Akwa Ibom State, on Tuesday.

The inauguration was done as part of activities to mark the ‘Physicians’ Week 2021’ held in the state.

Jonathan called on the various tiers of government to build an enduring health facility that will meet the health needs of the citizenry, lauding the efforts of Emmanuel in providing healthcare services to the people especially with the outbreak of Covid- 19 which took the world by surprise.

“Let me thank the Governor for making it possible for me to be linked up with this unique project and a hospital that has history and is completely renovated, redesigned, reconfigured for effective healthcare delivery,” he said.

“It is a good way to start the Nigeria Medical Association programme which brought me, to partner the NMA in their annual programme.

‘’I know the President of NMA and others will be pleased that we are kick starting their Physicians Week this year with the commissioning of a General Hospital that has been prepared to meet the health needs of the nation. We have to commend Governor Udom Emmanuel because health is key and whenever you talk about national security, the health security aspect is quite prominent. The Covid-19 pandemic has opened the eyes of everyone, the administrators, politicians, and professionals that health of a nation is key and we must do everything to strengthen infrastructure to deliver health needs of the people”

Jonathan thanked the people of Ikot Ekpene for accepting to be part of the development initiated by the state government and urged them to support Emmanuel to do more.

In his address, Emmanuel thanked the former president for honouring the invitation to inaugurate the remodeled General Hospital and accepting to grace the Physicians’ Week 2021 as keynote speaker.

He said the inauguration of the General Hospital in Ikot Ekpene is in fulfilment of his developmental promise to improve the lives of the people in the state, adding that his administration will continue to prioritize critical areas of infrastructure and development.