International Health NGO set to partner Anambra Govt to establish trauma centre

An International Non-governmental Health Organisation, Doctors Without Borders, recently expressed its readiness to partner Anambra Government to establish a Trauma Center in the State. 

The NGO's Project Coordinator for the State, Dr Geoffery Baas disclosed this when he led a delegation from the Organization on a courtesy visit on Governor Willie Obiano. 

Doctors Without Borders also known Medicine San Frontiers, one of the Largest Health NGOs, was formed in 1971 with its headquarters in France, and is presently working in 65 countries across the world in place afflicted with wars, epidemics and other health challenges. 

The Organization has been in Anambra for the past two weeks, setting up strategies and machineries to work in Okpoko in Ogbaru Council Area in the areas of water and sanitation, as a pilot community for other humanitarian projects in hard to reach parts of the state. 

Receiving the team, Governor Obiano who expressed delight that the organization chose to partner the state, said why the partnership is important for the state government is because it targets people in medically-disadvantaged areas that spell very low health indices for the state. 

He said when he has been availed details on what it will take for the effective operation of the mission, the present administration will be able to provide every necessary support to ensure that it achieves greater result. 

The governor promised that the State Government will not interfere in the affairs of the organization as is contained in their terms of reference, adding that the State is willing to partner them in other areas to provide quality Health service to Ndi Anambra. 

The Leader of the delegation and Coordinator for the Anambra project, Dr Geoffery Baas who revealed that the project is sponsored by donors,  said what is special about it is that their services are free, and expressed their intention to work with the State in tthe longer run to eradicate lassa fever. 

He further explained that their decision to commence the Okpoko project with water project is due to the importance of water to sanitation and he

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Josephat Akabuike who recalled that the present administration had commenced negotiations with the Organization since 2014, said as a result of the Ministry's persistence, the Organization finally came to do their needs assessment last and expressed confidence that the state has the required medical manpower to drive the project, especially with ongoing efforts to transform the State's Teaching Hospital. 

In a vote of thanks, the Chief of Staff, Prof Joe Asike emphasized that Doctors without Borders represent the true conscience of the medical profession and thanked the organization for sacrificing their comfort to bring medical relief to Ndi Anambra.