The Bayelsa State Government has expressed its preparedness to explore more frontiers of collaboration with Zipline International, for the provision of improved services in the health sector of the state.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence, Ewhrudjakpo, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the Regional Director, and other officials of Zipline International, to his office in Government House, Yenagoa, at the weekend.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who acknowledged that the services of Zipline International had contributed remarkably to improved healthcare indices of the state, said government was ready to work with the firm to actualize its vision of prosperity in different sectors.
He assured the delegation of government readiness to establish a blood processing facility, access donor-funding for health programmes, adding that more delivery locations would be created to enhance vaccine distribution across the state.
On the issue of building a world-class piggery in the state, Senator Ewhrudjakpo urged Zipline to work hand in hand with the state ministry of agriculture and natural resources to make it a reality.
While applauding Zipline for its air-bound drone distribution of vaccines to various designated delivery centers across the eight local government areas, the Deputy Governor noted, however, that there was still room for improvement.
His words: “As a state and government, we want to thank you for what you are doing in our state. No doubt, you have given us a shot in the arm for the improvement in our health output and indices.
“Our healthcare service indicators and indices are looking upward. You are doing well; we want to commend you for all you have been doing, but there is still room for improvement. The room for improvement is perfectly open.
“You are bringing some innovations to the table: Where are we now? Where are we going to? You have outlined about four areas of possible collaboration, beginning with the issue of blood processing facility, the issue of agriculture, the issues of increasing our vaccine distribution to the various communities, and supporting us in the area of HIV/AIDS.
“As a government, we are foresighted to overcome the problem of donor-fatigue and withdrawal. We also need to do more in our vaccine distribution, so more delivery locations will be opened across the LGAs of the state.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Regional Director of Zipline International, covering Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States, Mr. Chinedu Amah, said the firm was not just a service provider to the state, but also a strategic partner that is committed to the overall health and well-being of the people.
Mr. Chinedu noted that Zipline was also committed to working with the state to securing donor-funding from alternative sources for health-related programmes, as well as acquire a blood processing equipment for the first Nigerian blood services centre in the region.
He further disclosed that with government’s buy-in and support, Zipline was ready to establish a world-class livestock farm in Bayelsa State that would boost revenue base of the state.
