NAN-HG-14
Funding
By Awayi Kuje
Keffi (Nasarawa state), Oct. 26, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Nasarawa State Branch, has urged the Federal Government to provide funds to address infrastructural decay in hospitals across the country.
The NMA State Chairman, Dr Christopher Edeh, who made the appeal at the 2016 Physician Week on Wednesday in Keffi, said that this would ensure quality healthcare delivery to the citizens.
The 2016 physician week, which took place in Keffi, Nasarawa State, had the theme: “Healthcare in a Frail Economy: Challenges and Way Forward’’.
Edeh said that adequate funding of hospitals by government at all levels would improve the health status of Nigerians and discourage medical tourism out of Nigeria.
“Many Nigerians have myriads of health challenges because they cannot afford or access quality healthcare.
“There are also many problems or challenges assailing the nation’s health sector like poor manpower and non-employment of trained doctors.
“Proper funding by the Federal Government will tackle the decay in the system and improve on services which the sector can render to ailing Nigerians,” he said.
Edeh urged the government to make the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) accessible to all Nigerian in order to reduce maternal and infant mortality in the country.
He commended Gov. Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State for his interventions in the health sector, saying that it had improved the health and living condition of residents.
Also speaking, the Assistant National Secretary-General of the association, Dr Attah Peter, said that the association would key into all policies and projects that had direct bearing on the lives of doctors and other Nigerians.
In his remarks, Dr Giyan Joshua-Ndom, the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, assured the association of the centre’s support in their efforts at ensuring effective health care delivery in the state and the country at large.
Joshua-Ndom, who was represented by Dr Samuel Luka, the centre’s Head of Clinical Service, encouraged doctors to be hardworking in the discharge of their duties for the overall development of the country. (NAN)
AKW/COF/IS
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Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Ismail Abdulaziz