Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno has inaugurated board members to the state Health Insurance Agency.

The board comprising of 15-members were inaugurated to help make healthcare delivery services easily available, accessible, and affordable to residents of the state.

The governor revealed that the state government has ordered six ambulances to commence emergency services and ensure timely responses to health issues across the state.

During the inauguration ceremony held at the State Exco Chambers, Government House, Uyo, the Governor noted that the introduction of the ambulance services was in fulfillment of a promise he made during the campaigns.

He also noted that it was occasioned by the need to build a robust healthcare delivery system in addition to the well-equipped model health centers and other recent developments in the state’s health sector.

He added that on arrival, the ambulances will be strategically stationed for timely responses to medical emergencies across the three Senatorial Districts.

He stated that the Health Insurance Agency so inaugurated is a critical agency with members selected based on professional competence rather than political consideration, and warned against politicizing issues of healthcare delivery in the state.

He said: “We have already commissioned the first of our model primary healthcare centers in Ikot Nkwo, Ibesikpo-Asutan Local Government Area, and others will soon be commissioned.

“These healthcare centers have the most modern facilities and are manned by trained medical personnel.

“We will also provide ambulance services to ensure the treatment of patients in emergency situations. Ambulance service is a major element; it is indeed the fulcrum upon which healthcare delivery services revolve, especially in advanced societies. That is why we are deeply intentional in the provision of this critical service.

“We have placed an order for six ambulances to kick-start this exercise, and we will keep increasing the fleet. The essence here is to have an ambulance service that will be available to handle any emergency medical situation that may arise within a few kilometers across the length and breadth of our State. The ambulances are not cheap, but we are determined to make them available for our people,” he assured.

ENDS