By Lucy Anyim
The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, has urged newly appointed National Health Fellows to leverage their expertise to enhance primary healthcare delivery and drive systemic improvements across the state. Describing the fellowship as a “call to public service,” Dr. Ekuma emphasized the pivotal role of young health professionals in translating knowledge into impactful health interventions.
Speaking at his office in Block 5, Centenary City, the Commissioner congratulated the fellows on their selection and encouraged them to operationalize the objectives of the National Health Fellowship Programme, particularly in strengthening health systems, improving service quality, and ensuring accurate health data reporting for evidence-based decision-making.
Dr. Ekuma expressed gratitude to the Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, for initiating the programme, as well as to Governor Francis Ogbonna and Her Excellency, Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, for their commitment to advancing healthcare in Ebonyi State. He urged the fellows to channel their intellectual capacity and energy into delivering measurable outcomes in community health, emphasizing accountability, patient-centered care, and innovation in primary healthcare service delivery.
The presentation of the National Health Fellows followed a comprehensive training in Abuja, coordinated by Dr. Mrs. Cynthia Nwuruku, SWAp Desk Officer, aimed at equipping participants with skills in health systems strengthening, community health strategy, and monitoring and evaluation of health interventions. The fellows, drawn from 13 Local Government Areas across the state, have been strategically positioned to implement health initiatives that improve access, quality, and equity in service delivery.
Also in attendance were Mrs. Nneka Dikeocha, JHPIEGO State Coordinator, and Dr. Mrs. Odii Ogonna Okoro, immediate past SWAp Desk Officer and current JHPIEGO Governance and Health System Strengthening Advisor, who commended the fellows for their readiness to contribute to sustainable health outcomes at the primary care level.
Dr. Ekuma concluded by urging the young graduates to adopt a results-oriented approach, employ data-driven strategies, and maintain ethical standards, positioning themselves as agents of transformative change in Ebonyi’s health sector.
