EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER FOR HEALTH BAYELSA STATE
You would like to hear from the horse’s mouth; a scholar,
clinician, health administrator and entrepreneur. He has traveled widely across
the globe. An alumni of: University of Jos, Nigeria, Heidelberg
University, German and the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Former; Chairman Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) and Vice-chairman
Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) ‘then’ Rivers State. First Chairman of NMA
Bayelsa State. Group Coordinator of the Goodluck For
Nigeria initiative. Meet Dr. Owei Ayibatonye; Commissioner for
Health, Bayelsa State. A consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist.
Physiolight: Good morning Honourable Commissioner Sir!
COMMISSIONER: You are
welcome.
Physiolight: We are from Physiolight editorial crew, may we
meet you Sir?
COMMISSIONER: I am Dr. Owei Ayibatonye; Commissioner for
Health, Bayelsa State.
Physiolight: Can you tell us about your professional
background?
COMMISSIONER: I am an Obstetrician and Gynecologist (O&G),
trained in the University of Jos, and graduated with the pioneer set in 1982. I
did my internship in Port-Harcourt and NYSC in Anambra State. After which I was
employed by the then Rivers State, I worked in many General Hospitals including;
Brass, Nembe, Omoku and Braithwaite Memorial Specialist
Hospital, Port Harcourt. When Bayelsa State was created in 1996, I returned and
served until 2000 when I left for Heidelberg University, German for specialization in O&G and
also the University of Cape Town, South Africa. I had my fellowship in O&G
in 2008 and subsequently served as a consultant in Bayelsa State. Within the
period I ventured into business in Nigeria and South Africa. In April 2014, I was
appointed as Commissioner for Health, Bayelsa State.
Physiolight: Do we have need for physiotherapy services in
public health delivery in Bayelsa State?
COMMISSIONER: Physiotherapy
services is very important, it is good you are engaging in this awareness. Many
people are not aware of modern day ‘physio’, what they know is local massage…they
are not the same. Physiotherapy involves the use of knowledge of Anatomy and
equipment to ensure that various organs are maintained in a good state of
health. I have a physiotherapist that takes care of my fitness too. Having practiced
abroad, I know the important of ‘physio’ especially in the area of
Rehabilitation; when people undergo major surgeries.
Physiolight: What is your perception on the level of
awareness of physiotherapy services in Bayelsa State?
COMMISSIONER: it is
very low! One of the issues I must say is paucity of specialists in this field,
also equipment. Even many of the hospitals that have physiotherapists do not
have adequate equipment to enhance their practice…that is an issue will be addressed
by the restoration government especially with the new hospitals we are
building.
Physiolight: We observed that there are less than eight
Physiotherapists in the state enrollment; is that satisfactory?
COMMISSIONER: No! It
is like having one physiotherapist in each Local Government (insert: there are
8 LGAs in Bayelsa State). The inadequate health personal is recurring decimal
in all profession, but from statistics, physiotherapy is the worst hit. Due to
limitations of funds, we may not be able to employ as much personnel as needed
but we will ensure that in the major institutions, there will be
physiotherapists to attend to people.
Physiolight: Ijaw people accept massage as a traditional
means of treatment. Sir, don’t you think of the possibility of opening an academic
(physiotherapy) program in Niger Delta University (Teaching Hospital) in
furtherance of global recognition of this unique culture?
COMMISSIONER: it is a
good idea which I have never taught of before. It is good we follow the rule of
the thumb; we do the first things first – my take is that we must first ensure
that Physiotherapy services are available in every nook and cranny of the State;
from there we can extend it to the NDU.
Physiolight: Recently, Physiotherapist NYSC Corp members
complained to you that their state allowance is less than the other health
personnel in their cadre (letter attached), what was your reaction to that?
COMMISSIONER: Well, I
have not seen the letter yet, but since you have mentioned it here we shall
surely look into it. If the facts you raised here are verified to be true, it
is an injustice and must be addressed.
Physiolight: Our amiable Governor is building several
healthcare facilities through your Ministry… to staff these facilities
adequately we expect that the State would soon lift embargo on employment of
health personnel, don’t you think so?
COMMISSIONER: Yes in
fact we must commend His Excellency Hon.
Seraki Dickson for embarking on aggressive construction of health
facilities in the State despite the meager resources that the state has at this
time. To say the least, we are building a referral hospital in every Local
Government of the State; many are at the verge of completion.
Can you say there is
an embargo while two months ago we employed over 350 health personnel, which is
very courageous step by the Governor. Of course these personnel will improve
health care delivery. Let me tell with the authority of Government that by
early next year, we shall still employ health personnel and Physiotherapists
will be among.
Physiolight: May we have your message to our readers.
COMMISSIONER: I want
to tell the people of Bayelsa State to continue supporting the restoration
agenda of the Governor. There has never been a Governor that has given such
attention to health since the inception of Bayelsa State. I also commend what
you are doing with Physiolight and I wish you all the best.
Physiolight: Thanks for your time.
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