HEALTHCARE DELIVERY: THE TEMPLATE OF ITORO COLUMBA'S STAINLESS SERVICE

HEALTHCARE DELIVERY: THE TEMPLATE OF ITORO COLUMBA'S STAINLESS SERVICE

By Mberekkeobong Essien

HEALTH IS WEALTH and the Columba-led administration fervently believes in this truism; this perceptive truth adds up to what actually informs the massive turn around that the land has witnessed in almost three years. Our society is constantly changing, so do the personal needs and health issues of our people at the hinterlands. No leader can boast of succeeding when his people are suffering and languishing in bad health condition. 

As the requirements and yearnings of the people change, the healthcare provision must evolve to meet their needs, while the leadership is expected to make available basic amenities of life, poised to drastically reduce death mortality rate and other progressive malignant diseases in the area. Undoubtedly,  'providing little or free cost to medical operation for some of these rural communities' dominated by certain class of dwellers, wouldn't be an unfair treatment. And nothing will describe 'the tears of joy that drop' each time the natives of this extraction are relieved of their medical burden.

With concentration on Ikono, one of the definite grassroots thrusts of Columba-led administration, is building an outstanding system that can provide free healthcare services and sustain the same as its topmost priority, especially in a society like ours where the number of people 'living in abject poverty is on the rise' and access to quality clinical attention is conversely elusive. It takes more than preaching the gospel to touch the people’s hearts. 

Given the completion of these past medical and surgical outreaches and the number of lives impacted so far, one can truly agree, that this media entrepreneur turned professional in politics, has not only set an example, but endeared the hearts of both believers and non-believers to him. This is so, because of 'spreading the love of Christ' in a very meaningful and life-transforming manner. 

The medical intervention spearheaded by the Ikono Chief Executive, was assisted through the clinical mastery of top-class practitioners who trooped in from all parts of the country to volunteer for the healing, experienced by the locals at different communities in Ikono. One man whose achievements within these three memorable years are reverberating across the length and breadth of the State, remains the super-performing capacity Council boss of Ntippe Ibibio Nation. 

It is on record, that the people-centric Columba has done over six very successful medical outreaches in collaboration with many Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from in-and-out of Nigeria, and was happy floating them as if they were his birthrights. From Ediene-Itak geopolitical zone to Ikono South heading towards Ikono Middle, natives of these communities can truly be proud of the joy derived as a result of this tour.

How could someone suddenly forget the African Gospel Mission in partnership with Church of Christ-Nigeria and Map International? Do you still remember the AKISAN-USA medical intervention? What about the event tagged 'Martha Udom Medical Outreach?' All these were beautifully attracted to Ikono between 2017-2019 and the flag-off described as a revival of some sorts, where Ikono natives were freely diagnosed at no cost? Indigenes of the communities who had challenges felt the impact of this overflow which the Council helmsman introduced since he came on board. . I can also remember the Imabridge Africa, Ikot Onwon Ediene, Itak clan and the outreach solely sponsored by the council Chairman.

Again, Ikono First Citizen single-handedly donated over 500 pieces of eye glasses for distribution to patients, footed the bills of some patients who had post-outreach surgeries; ranging from appendicitis, fibroids, hernias, cataracts, among other complications. And through collaborations with timely interventions, he got some valuable medical equipment and consumables from Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria(AKISAN-USA) and handed the same to General Hospital Management. 

As his tenure winds down in a couple of weeks, the Akwa Ibom State ALGON Publicity warlord, has not only acquitted himself discharging his administrative functions, the smooth-talking gentleman has constantly adopted the tenets of godliness, to set an incomparable template in the land. No wonder he is a member of the Lord's Church. I cannot be surprised, because as the saying goes, "when the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice"; God is very happy with the good people of Ikono for elating to entrust this mandate on him. 

Recall, that Mr Columba had won an award as 'Roll Back Malaria Partner', in recognition of his contributions to the success of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN) campaign in Akwa Ibom State -an award bestowed on him in 2019.

May we not forget so soon, that it was this same Columba-led administration that set-up "Ikono Asset Recovery Committee" just a few months after he was sworn into office. As I write, it can be listed among other accomplishments, that Ikono Chief Executive has recovered '30 units of 2 bedroom flats belonging to the Council at the 50units Low Density Housing Estate' fraudulently confiscated by a culprit for over 18 years.

Before my ink peacefully finds rest, the story of funding the formal coronation of the Paramount Ruler of Ikono, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Nyong Udo Obop after 6 years of ascending the throne, would definitely be written some other day. THAT'S A STORY FOR ANOTHER DAY!

Believe me or not, Columba has not let these electorate down, but surely convinces them by keeping his side of the social contract. As he steps aside for a higher calling, his performance during his reign as Chairman can only be spotted in tongue-waging policies, life-changing projects and life-enhancing programmes visibly positioned across the nooks and crannies of the area.

The good people of Ikono Local Government will absolutely MISS HIM for his innumerous strides, service-oriented delivery, passion-driven motivation and effective representation with recourse to humility, simplicity, godliness, modern presentation, myraid of decency and accountability in governance.

A Swiss Muslim academic and scholar of contemporary Islamic studies at St Antony's College in Oxford, Prof Tariq Ramadan once posited, "As a leader, if you do your work well, if you are committed at the grassroots level, if you have a vision for the long run, not only short-sighted interest, you can change public opinion." Hon. Itoro Columba perfectly fits into the above assertion.

This is how to become a Local Government Chairman and make your people rejoice. 

TO GOD ALONE BE PRAISE!