The Ebonyi state government has rued the shortage of COVID 19 vaccines and solicited the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for more delivery.

Governor David Umahi made the declaration in Abakaliki while receiving the Director, USAID Health Population and Nutrition Office, Mr Paul Mc Dennot who paid him a courtesy visit.

Umahi represented by his Deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, said that the government had judiciously utilised the vaccines donated to it and those it procured.

"We promise to also judiciously utilise vaccines which USAID will donate to us.

"We also seek USAID intervention in enhancing the supply of our nutrient value affected by low supply from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The governor said that the bill for the inuaguration of a drug management agency will soon be passed into law by the state House of Assembly.

"We have conducted interviews to fill the human resource gaps in our health system to enhance its efficiency.

"The have sourced the best health personnel who would be sent to various primary and secondary health facilities in the state.

"We have also provided ambulances at various primary health facilities across the state for evacuation of patients to secondary facilities when needed" he said.

He noted that the state government pays great attention to the health wellbeing of its citizens because an unhealthy society is dead.

"Ebonyi is a good partner of USAID and despite inherent challenges, you should not fret in your dealings with us.

"These challenges are compounded by the low federal allocation accruable to the state and the attention given to other sectors is still hinged on this lean allocation".

The Director, USAID Health Population and Nutrition office, Mr Paul Mc Dennot commended the state government's support to USAID in the state, especially the team from the state ministry of health.

Mc Den not urged the state government and other relevant partners to work towards overcoming the hindrances militating against the uptake of COVID 19 vaccines in the state.

"Ebonyi should overcome these challenges to meet its COVID19 uptake targets for the benefit of its people.

"The government should improve on the human resource segment of its health system and also on financing the sector.

He noted that the USAID team visited health facilities in several communities and was impressed with the contents of its interaction with community leaders, and project leaders among other stakeholders.