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" YOU ARE IMPORTANT IN PHC DELIVERY, BE MORE PROFESSIONAL IN YOUR WORK"... RSPHCMB ES CHARGES.

The Executive Secretary,  Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board,  Dr. Chituru Adele has charged laboratory technicians and scientists of primary health centres in the state to always see themselves as very important in health delivery. 
Dr. Adele  made the remarks during the opening ceremony of a 2-day capacity building workshop for laboratory technicians and scientists organised by the Board in collaboration with Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) in Port Harcourt from  8th - 9th April 2026.

The RSPHCMB Executive Secretary who charged the laboratory workers to be always professional because,  according to him, " the results they produce are key because they inform the doctors of what line of treatments to give, and how long the treatment to patients will last".

Dr. Adele warned that if the laboratory workers messed up any results,  it would cascade to dangerous results that would negatively impact the community.

The Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Management Board,  who thanked the laboratory workers for taking out time to be part of the workshop,  said that the workshop is instructive as it will help in giving proper direction and guidance to the laboratory staff,  who said had hitherto been working in a vacuum,  with no proper direction.

On her part,  the Director,  Community Health Services of the Board,  Dr.  Joy Wihioka,  who corroborated the stance of the Executive Secretary in describing the laboratory workers as being important,  reminding them that decisions made by doctors and other health personnel are from the results they provide.

Dr. Wihioka who said that it is important for the laboratory workers to be abreast of the updates and new skills in their field, announced that the desire of the Board is to provide provide holistic and optimal care for all patients that come to the primary health centres across the state.

The Community Health Services Director reiterated that the services of the laboratory workers are important in helping to achieve a reduction in maternal mortality, especially in the 6 MAMII local government areas of the state,  which the state is  targeting.

Dr. Wihioka then emphasised the need for laboratory workers to get their results right when providing services at the various primary health centres, saying the interest of the government is to reduce maternal mortality in Rivers State.

Baring his mind on the training workshop,  Director,  Medical Services of the Primary Health Care Management Board,  Dr.  Otonye Lawson-Jack reminds the laboratory workers that the people expect excellence from them,  calling upon them to exercise commitment to ensure that all Rivers residents have optimal services and to make it better.

On her part,  the Head,  Health Services Department of Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme,  RVCHPP,  Dr.  Barinem Dimkpa,  who talked about RIVCHPP's programmes and the role of laboratory workers,  said that the training is aimed to strengthen service delivery , reinforce guidelines,  and ensure alignment with the goals of universal health coverage.

Dr. Dimkpa reiterated the need to educate laboratory personnel on the principles and expectations of RIVCHPP and the need to promote ethical practices and improve patient experiences.

Encouraging the laboratory personnel at the training workshop,  the Director,  Planning,  Research,  and Statistics of Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board,Dr.  Siyeofori Dede said that the initiative is to keep the laboratory workers abreast of new techniques and get full knowledge of current equipment available in the area.

Dr. Dede encouraged laboratory workers to always ensure,  on a daily basis,  to check what unit of measurement an equipment will give before making use of such equipment to avoid errors of any sort.

The State Focal Person of Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) for the primary health management board, Dtn. Buduzhi Gift Oguzor,  in his overview, said that the essence of the workshop is to strengthen capacity of laboratory technicians and scientists in 205 Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) supported  primary health centres in Rivers State.

Dtn. Oguzor clarified that the training will help the participants to develop knowledge to effectively perform,  interpret, and manage rapid diagnostic tests in line with the standard operating proceddure.

The workshop,  which featured practical and technical sessions , was attended by laboratory technicians and scientists in all the 205 BHCPF supported primary health facilities across the 23 local government areas of the state.

Idanye Oruigoni

Head,  Information/Public Relations Unit, 
RIVCHPP. 
I0/04/2026.