Nation
Stakeholders Task Guber Candidates On Healthcare
As parts of efforts to reposition the Lagos State health sector, the Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL), in collaboration with the UHC 2023 Forum, Global Health Advocacy Incubator, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and the Media, have appealed to governorship candidates to prioritise healthcare in their development agenda.
The appeal was made at a one-day advocacy stakeholder’s forum with all the gubernatorial candidates, sequel to recent happenings within the sector.
The forum sought to deepen the understanding of the political class and other stakeholders on the health security gaps and acquaint them with available strategic policy options for strengthening health policy and financing options.
The forum, which also encouraged the candidates to prioritise health security in their development agenda, obtained signed commitments from them towards enhanced prioritisation of the sector in government’s spending.
In his opening remarks, the LISDEL Project Director, Prevent Epidermics Project, Dr. Gafar Alawode, noted that in charting a course of action for translating the candidates’ commitments into actions and engendering accountability for the fulfillment of their commitments, any turnaround in policy has to be backed by the political class, else it dies on arrival.
Chairman, NMA, Lagos State Chapter, Dr. Benjamin Olowojebutu, lamented that healthcare workers are under threat in Lagos, as their members were being harassed, maimed and even killed regularly.
”It saddens me to say that we lost 1,800 doctors to the UK and other countries as at last month.
“This has crossed alarming levels now and we need to ask how these candidates would ensure healthcare workers remain in the country, earn fair pay and better working conditions.
“The brain drain is alarming, skilled workers are leaving Nigeria for greener pastures and it’s worrying”, he said.
Lagos Civil Society Participation for Development (LASCOP) Board of Trustees Chairman, Mr. Ayo Adebusoye, on his part said since the state has the largest concentration of private sector, there is no reason that health financing cannot work.
The Secretary, NMA, Lagos Chapter, Dr. Ismail Ajibowo, in setting the objectives of the forum, urged the candidates to divulge their plans for the healthcare delivery system in Lagos, how they intend to realise it, and sign a pledge to be held accountable when they assume office later this year.
Chairman, Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP), Makinde Akinlemibola, who spoke on “Lagos State Health Sector Reform: Challenges and Prospects,” revealed that over 50 percent of their members have left the country with more on their way out and not because of remuneration alone.
“The system is broken and needs urgent reform. We need to retain our health workers still left here and treat them better.
“Over 70 percent of Nigerians still use private healthcare and we’re doing the best we can without government support of any kind.
“Health is a social capital and government alone cannot fund the healthcare sector but it still can’t be totally commercialized.
“To this end, we need to put in place policies and laws that will bring funds into the sector. Government needs to be more proactive.
“Some of the laws we have presently in this sector, including the health reform laws, were made without the input of private practitioners and they affect us negatively.
“Also, health workers are not well protected within the law. Health workers need improved remuneration, better working conditions and full medical insurance to enable them put in their best”, Akinlemibola stated.
Presenting a paper on Lagos state healthcare reform: challenges and prospects, Chairman, Medical Guild, Dr SF Ahmad, said while the prospects are promising and bright, the reforms and law still has challenges including financing, human resource management, health facilities regulation
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to embark on the water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Rivers state
The Group called on the Rivers state government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously as the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people
The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the council to assist in making the project a reality and attracts more developmental projects to the city
This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn alongside Mark Ojuka,Chairman of Buguma and Hon Sandra Owunari JP Chairman Obuama and monitored by our correspondent
Comrade Ojuka also called on the Management of Liquidifed Natural Gas NLG to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kala bari communities to improve their health status
He appealed to LNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting the company is doing same in Bonny, abandoning Kalabari communities
“We need contracts, free medical, scholarships and employment including skill acquisition programs for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions ”
On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Ama Ma soldiers the city is more peaceful and investors friendly as the youths of area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area
“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”
He called on the Rivers state to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
“The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment”
“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence”
Also Speaking, Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn called for more improve in infrastructures in Kalabari community, especially in electricity
There is little improvement in terms of electricity in Buguma city
He decried the deplorable condition
of Buguma Health Centre, saying that the hospital is near functional
“Our sisters that are pregnant and our sick parents can not access the health centre for a better treatment ”
Describing the Health Centre as an eye saw, he called on Rivers state government and Buguma Local Government chairman Hon William to improve on facilities in the centre and make it more medically accessible to the sick persons in the area
Buguma, Tammy Bruce said is the spiritual headquarter of Kalabari people as such deserve more modern facilities from the government to improve lives
The Coordinator called on government, stakeholders and oil companies to assist and improve the poor infrastructural facilities in area
“We need first class hospitals, qualified medical doctors and nurses in the health centres and hospitals”
On the oil spilled in Obuoma Chairman MOSIEND Obuoma, Hon Sandra Owunari said the spill destroyed their crops and Rivers even polluted their only source of drinking water
She expressed displeasure that Rivers state government did not send any relief materials to the people in the affected community
On Chieftaincy title to women in Obuama, Hon Sandra Owunari said the community do not install Chieftaincy title to women, saying that Chieftaincy title is only reserved for men only in the community
CHINEDU WOSU
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