By Chris Chikelue
The Government of Anambra State has reiterated that it is committed to improve access of residents of the state to quality healthcare delivery through investing, procuring and putting on ground modern medical equipment.
The Commissioner for Health, Anambra State, Dr. Afam Obidike made this attestation while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) who were in his office to seek a working collaboration with the state health sector in the provision and use of radioactive materials in its healthcare facilities.
The Commissioner hailed the body for its role in ensuring the safe use of radioactive materials across the states of the country and described the visit as timely while saying that Anambra State Government cannot decline to work closely with it in the promotion of radiation safety in its health facilities as well as for protecting the health of the people.
Dr. Obidike, then, noted that the state government is committed to improving access to quality healthcare through strategic investments in modern medical facilities.
“The state is in the process of establishing an oncology centre and there is the need for a collaboration with the Ngerian Nuclear Regulatory Agency to ensure the facility operates in line with national and international radiation safety standards.”
The leader of the group who is also the South East Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Ekene Efienemokwu while speaking said the purpose of the meeting was to brief the commissioner with the agency’s statutory mandate of regulating radioactive materials from the point of importation to their final use in hospitals, diagnostic centres and other licensed facilities.
“The authority is responsible for ensuring that radioactive materials are safely handled and used in accordance with national regulations to protect healthcare workers, patients, the public and the environment from harmful effects of ionizing radiation.”
He assured the commissioner of the Agency’s readiness to provide the necessary technical and regulatory support for the oncology centre and other healthcare facilities that could make use of radioactive materials.
“The Agency will continue to partner with Anambra State Ministry of Health in strengthening radiation protection, to promote regulatory compliance, and to ensure safer healthcare environment for both healthcare workers and patients,” Efienemokwu explained.
