By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Asaba
Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, has said that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori-led administration remains committed to achieving the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Sir Onyeme stated this on Wednesday during the 2025 First Quarter Task Force Meeting on Primary Health Care/Immunization held at Asaba.
The Deputy Governor who is also the Chairman of the Task Force On Primary Health Care/Immunization, while noting that the meeting was to appraise the State Overall PHC Performance in the first quarter of the year, noted that, the PHC Revitalization is a task that must be done.
He emphasized that the PHC task force will be looking at Infrastructure (PHC Centers) re-modeling through repairs and expansion as well as capacities of Health Workers to deliver quality of care so that health services could be available, accessible and affordable to all in a 24 hours cycle.
“Let us remind ourselves that our roles are tied to the Seattle declaration on PHC to which our Governors (Forum) made at the Abuja Commitments,” he said.
Sir Onyeme emphasized that, leadership and coordination of all PHC/immunization activities in the State and respective local government areas must be effective.
He noted that there is need to direct appropriate action to mitigate disease outbreaks by applying annual operational plans for Health (Immunization and other Health Services) with specific focus on high risk areas for outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases.
Sir Onyeme asserted that there is the need for provisuon of budgetary allocations and released funds for PHC, while the various local government areas to constitute their Local Government Health Authorities and Task Forces on PHC and ensure they are functional.
Dr. Paul Yinkore, Director of the Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, gave an overview of PHC performance, immunization coverage from October to December 2024, responses to the cholera outbreak, and support from local councils among others.
Following robust deliberations involving local government chairmen and other key stakeholders, the Deputy Governor directed that a follow up meeting be held within two weeks involving council chairmen, Primary Health Care Executive Secretaries, and agency officials, aimed at resolving grey areas and strengthen coordination for better service.