An All Progressives Congress, APC, aspirant for the Kogi governorship election, Dr. Adinoyi Onukaba has promised the citizens in the state of improved healthcare delivery, if elected.

He made the pledge in a statement issued by the Adinoyi Onukaba Campaign Organisation on Thursday in Abuja.

Onukaba, who has worked as an information officer with the United Nations, promised to change the emphasis of healthcare programmes by starting basic preventive solutions from the local communities.

He said that the driving force of his administration would be to meet the UN MDGs through improved strategic management of the health system and development of quality manpower.

Onukaba said he would also ensure the availability of quality and relevant health facilities, affordable essential drugs and consumables for citizens of the state.

“I promise to involve public-private partnerships to deliver the needed healthcare to the people.

“The people of Kogi are certainly not enjoying the best of health delivery system at the moment. The result is the alarming maternal deaths and infant mortality rate in the state.

“But hope is not all lost for the people because I will put health in the front burner if given the opportunity to serve the people as governor in November.”

According to him, it is difficult to ascertain the exact number of babies who die before or during birth and expectant mothers who die during child birth.

He observed that the failure of the present and past governments in providing good healthcare system for the people was responsible for maternal and child mortality in the state.

“I have already put together a team of experts to design a workable healthcare system that will yield instant result while in office.

“My government will be more innovative by promoting the local community as the basic unit that will fit into the primary healthcare.

“It is my intention to improve routine immunisation coverage in the three senatorial districts of the state.

“This will significantly reduce infant and under-five mortality and morbidity rates as well as reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates.”

Onukaba said he would work assiduously to halt and reverse the spread of malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and other related diseases in the state. (NAN)

•Photo shows Onukaba