9th August, 2023
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Rvers State Government has vowed to punish any staff found to be guilty of alleged sale of vaccines that are supposed to be given free of charge to children in any of its health centres and hospitals.
This followed reports that nursing mothers are being charged as high as N10,000 for their children to be vaccinated in some of the health centres in the state.
It was learnt that Governor Siminalayi Fubara has ordered the Executive Secretary, Rivers Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr. Kinikanwo Green to investigate the allegation.
Speaking when he paid an unscheduled visit to Obio Cottage and Rumuokwurusi Health Centres in Obio-Akpor local government area, Dr Green said allegations that staff members are involved in the sale of infant vaccines were already being investigated.
Dr Green while reiterated that vaccines are free and should not be sold under any circumstance.
Specifically, some nursing mothers had accused health workers at Obio-Akpor Cottage Hospital and Rumuokwurusi Health Centres of selling vaccines.
Some of the mothers who spoke on condition of anonymity said the vaccines were being sold for between N1,200 and N13,000 at the two health centres.
However, the nursing mothers said they queried why they need to pay for vaccines that are supposed to be given free in a WhatsApp group created for those under the Community Health Insurance Scheme of the hospitals.
But they said they were told by the health workers the vaccines were unavailable and that the ones available were procured from private sources.
It was learnt that some staff of the health centres alleged to be involved in the deal are to appear before an investigation panel.
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