NAN-H-34
Obaseki
Benin, Sept. 20, 2016 (NAN) Mr Godwin Obaseki, All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the Sept. 28 Edo election, says he is committed to turn Edo to the medical hub of Nigeria if he wins the election.
Obaseki made the pledge on Tuesday in Benin at an interactive session with the state chapter of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).
“If the people of the state elect me as their governor, the health programme of my administration will be targeted at the less privileged,’’ he said.
He added that the measure would go a long way to discourage the people of the state from embarking on medical tourism to foreign countries.
To achieve the objective, Obaseki said that five star hospitals in Benin would be equipped with the best medical equipment and personnel.
“I will build and equip specialised departments at the Central Hospital in Benin for the treatment of ailments that make Nigerians seek medical attention abroad,’’ he said.
While promising to restore faith in the health sector, the APC candidate promised that his administration would consider the medical needs of the poor.
Obaseki however noted with satisfaction that the incumbent administration in the state had invested substantially in the health sector.
“What we have done basically in these past years is to improve on infrastructure in government hospitals as well as equipping some of them.
“Now, while we will be focusing more on human capacity building, we will also focus on equipping hospitals with modern health facilities,” he added.
The APC flag bearer said he plans to build and equip emergency care centres at strategic locations across the state to admit emergency cases, especially accident victims.
He assured the medical practitioners who attended the interactive session of good working relationship with them to enhance healthcare delivery in the state.
He expressed concern at the strain relationship between the government and members of the NMA in the state.
He said that the demands of medical doctors are usually about compensation, incentives and standard, adding that these are issues which the government could handle through negotiation.
Obaseki solicited the support and cooperation of members of NMA to enable him win the election so that he could actualise his plans for the sector.
In his remarks, Dr Emmanuel Osigbofo, the chairman of the state chapter of the NMA, assured the candidate of the support and cooperation of the association to enable him realise his ambition.
He, however, appealed to the APC candidate to give more attention to the medical practitioners if he wins the election. (NAN)
ESI/MO/AEA
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Edited by Morayo Omolade and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo