Okowa and the paradigm of primary health-care by Amaechi Udemba

Since his entrance into partisan politics as a founding member of the Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM) which later metamorphosis into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and later the state Health Commissioner under James Ibori's administration, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has never given up his search for an enduring paradigm that will guarantee a robust Primary Health-Care System for the masses?

His recent empowerment programme, the second in the space of 3 years, which focuses on an enhanced Primary Health Care System, underscores his belief that infrastructural development, or what in other climes, is referred to as as the infrastructure of democracy, is not only a bedrock for good governance, but a desirable legitimate tool for the electorate.

Put more poignant, Senator Okowa's choice of nine ambulances equipped with the state-of-the-art medical facilities given to the nine Local Government Areas in Delta North Senatorial District and one Nissan High Roof Bus to the State Primary Health Care Agency, to assist in Primary  Health Care delivery and referral needs of local communities, is not only a sign of a man in climes with the developmental needs of his people, but a master-stroke in a country where empowerment programmes have become an all comers affairs with little or no economic and social values to the beneficiaries.

In line with his modest nature, Senator Okowa on graduation from the University of Ibadan, began his medical practise in Igbanke, a farming community in the defunct of Bendel State. Igbanke is now morphed into Edo State, as a result of the 1991 States creation exercise of the Babangida's administration.

While there, he experienced first-hand the importance of Primary Health Care in the lives of rural dwellers. That exposure, led to his conviction that if urgent steps are not taken to reverse the pathetic neglect rural dwellers suffer due to the glaring absence of Primary health care, it might crept into the urban areas. Therefore, when he was appointed the Delta State Commissioner for Health in 2003, Senator Okowa used the people-factor to define his health development agenda. That agenda, led to the construction of Primary Health Care Centres in the 25 Local Government Areas of Delta State.

Though just 33 months in office as a Senator of the Federal Republic, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, through the twelve bills to his credit, the construction of a new Gynaecology/Orthopaedic complex at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, and the sitting of additional Primary Health Care Centres in Ndokwa East and West, Aniocha South and Ika North-East Local Government Areas of Delta State respectively, has rendered superfluous the notion that first time legislators are bench earners. Senator Gyang Datong of Plateau North, who represented the Senate President at Dr. Okowa's second empowerment early this year had said: Our business as legislators is to make laws. But by today's gesture, Dr. Okowa, has moved into the realm of infrastructure provider by this singular donation of nine ambulances to complement the effort of Delta State Government health delivery scheme"

With this, expectant mothers, accident victims and others at the peril of death have been given a life saver through this act. The presence of ambulances at our Local Government Health Centres, hitherto non-existing, amplifies Senator Okowa's long held dream of a functional Local Government Health Delivery System.

Those who are versed in the nuts and bolts of law making, like Senator Datong, would appreciate the nimble political footwork employed by this amiable politician to push through the National Health bill to the third reading, while that of the National Health Insurance Commission bill, the Anti-HIV Discrimination bill and the Prevention and Management of Sickle Cell Disorder, are awaiting third reading. The National Health bill, when eventually passed into law, will lie prostrate without a well equipped Local and State Government Primary Health Care Agency.

To break that spiral of seeking medical attention abroad, a norm among our elites, should be a concern by all for a country whose aspiration is to be one of the top 20 economies in the World. There is no G-20 Country that depends on others for a healthy man-power to drive its economy.

Besides reviving the health sector, bold steps such as this, would ultimately take us back to where we were before the "mere consulting clinic" coinage was invented to describe our prostrate health institutions.

By every standard, Senator Okowa has demonstrated that he has the experience and political will to manage society's problems and affairs. Our only chance to break the cycle of endemic leadership, is to give people like Senator Okowa who are high on statecraft the political environment to do more.

Amaechi Udemba, a public affairs commentator is based in Asaba.

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