National Health Fellows Graduation: Commissioner Urges Professionals to Boost Health Sector
By Anselem Anokwute
The Imo State Commissioner for Health and Social Services, Chioma Egu, has urged young health professionals to deploy their skills, knowledge and innovation to strengthen the health sector and improve service delivery in local government areas and communities across the country.
Dr. Egu noted that with the encouragement and support of parents and guardians, young professionals would be better positioned to contribute meaningfully to the development of the health sector, ultimately helping to save lives and reduce the rising cost of medication.
She made the call while speaking with journalists during the National Health Fellows Graduation Ceremony of Cohort 1.0 and the Onboarding of Cohort 2.0, held on Thursday at Rockview Hotel Owerri.
Expressing confidence in appreciation to the governor Senator Hope Uzodimma who has passionately contributed meaningful to the increase of healthcare delivery in the State urged the graguants to put into practice their health training exercise to ensure that the sector and aims are achieved inline with the government policies on the Healthcare sectors.
According to the commissioner, the government remains committed to strengthening healthcare delivery, particularly in rural communities, hence the introduction of the fellowship and onboarding programmes for young health practitioners.
“We unveiled the National Health Fellows who will serve in 2026. The programme was designed to bridge existing gaps in the health sector,” she said.
Dr. Egu explained that the initiative became necessary due to the loss of many healthcare workers to migration, popularly referred to as the “Japa syndrome”.
“We have lost a significant number of our healthcare workers to migration. As a result, the government decided to build the capacity of young men and women who will help fill the gaps in various areas such as data management, data collection, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation,” she said.
She added that government at all levels remains committed to initiatives that will strengthen healthcare delivery at the grassroots.
“Whatever can be done to strengthen the health delivery system in the local government areas and communities, the government is keen and committed to doing it,” she added.
Dr. Egu further noted that the first batch of fellows commenced the programme last year and successfully completed their one-year training, while a new cohort was formally onboarded during the event.
The fellows, drawn from the 27 local government areas of Imo State, were presented with certificates after completing the programme. The initiative was sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with the Imo State Ministry of Health and Social Services.
The commissioner commended both the Federal Government and the Imo State Government for supporting the programme, expressing optimism that it would significantly improve healthcare delivery in rural communities.
She also urged the fellows to remain focused and uphold professionalism in the discharge of their duties.