By Onyekachi Eze
Should there be an outbreak of the latest deadly disease called Coronavirus in Imo State, the health system in the State may not be combat ready, if what this newspaper learnt from the workers are considered.
As there is known remedy to the killer virus yet, Imo State citizens are worried that health workers can’t match the situation as they raised issues concerning hindrances to their operations.
In an interactive session with Journalists in Owerri, the State Chairman, Hospital Workers Welfare Association, (Hospitals Management Board), Comrade Mgbemere Friday E., described the virus as a great threat to the people of the State, should the condition of the health centers and facilities in the State be considered.
He disclosed that in the light of the creeping in of the coronavirus, there is no standard health centre or unitary treatment centre to boast of in case of its outbreak.
According to Mgbemere, there is urgent need for the State government to wade into action before it becomes late, pointing out that for preventive measures, there should be good, well equipped health centers at hand.
Similarly, he revealed that not only that there are no functioning hospitals across the 27 LGAs, it is also of importance to refurbish all the health centers with modern health facilities to suit in to international standard.
Meanwhile, the Hospital Management Board Workers have decried government neglect towards them.
Information gathered by Trumpeta Newspaper showed that the workers had not been paid fully, and as at when due.
Comrade Mgbemere told newsmen that since the administration of Rochas Okorocha to Emeka Ihedioha and now to Hope Uzodinma, they had not been paid a 100% full salaries, rather, it has been half payment.
However, he attributed such as a wicked act by the government to health workers who always place their lives at the mercy of the public.
“The issue at hand is about health. Assuming we have a case of coronavirus in Imo State, how effective would the workers be, when at the end of the month they receive only a half salary. Who can place his or her life in such scenario?
Also, the APC government was called upon to brace up to the global health challenges and be exceptional with her health policies and programs.
While calling on the State government led by Senator Hope Uzodinma to do things appropriately as it relates to full salary payment of the HMB and other health workers, he assured of their cooperation and dedication to duty.
