Delta State Governor and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, today called for improved condition of service for healthcare professionals so as to discourage their migration from the country in search of greener pastures.
Okowa made the call when he received members of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria led by Prof. Abubakar Auwal who visited him at Government House, Asaba.
He lamented the exodus of medical doctors and nurses from the country in search of greener pastures, and said that healthcare providers should be provided with facilities to enable them discharge their professional duties as a way of halting brain drain in the country.
According to him, the federal and sub-national governments should do the needful by prioritising healthcare delivery through deliberate policy framework that would enable the country to retain its healthcare professionals.
The governor said federal and state governments should place high premium on the healthcare needs of the masses, their education and welfare scheme as a veritable means of enhancing their living standard.
“Every visionary government must take proactive steps aimed at providing qualitative and affordable healthcare delivery system that will take care of the vulnerable segment of the society.
“I am glad that you have a strong committee, especially in the current times that we are in with lots of issues in our nation. I believe that your work is not easy and you realise the challenges we face in medical institutions.
“So, I believe that when you continue to sit together, you will be able to proffer solutions to issues, share ideas as to what to do to help this country at this time when it appears that things are going wrong in every facet.
“I truly want to let you know that we have had a very strong relationship with the Federal Medical Center, Asaba. I know that they did carry a lot of load’
he said.
While reiterating the need for government to improve the condition of service for doctors and other health personnel, the governor noted that their exit, if not checked, will culminate in loss of capable hands to render critical medical services to patients.
He disclosed that the contributory health insurance scheme of his administration had no fewer than one million enrollees, including pregnant women and children under five years of age, with the government paying premium for their healthcare services.
Other areas of necessity, Okowa stressed, included education, security, job creation and human capital development, and described as unfortunate, the eight months industrial action by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that had kept students at home.
He said that the four universities owned by the state had been in session because his administration understood the importance of education and provided adequately for the institution’s and the personnel.
He, therefore, urged the Federal Government to do the needful so that the union’s strike would be called off to enable students resume studies.
He assured that the state government would continue to ensure that education was given the prime attention that it deserved.
He charged medical directors to fashion out ways of expanding access to healthcare services both in urban and rural communities.
Earlier, leader of the team, Prof. Auwal had said that they were in the state for their meeting, and thanked Okowa for prioritising healthcare delivery for residents of the state and his giant strides in other sectors of the state’s economy.
He called on other sub-national governments in the country to emulate Okowa’s developmental policies and programmes.
Auwal observed that the collaboration between Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba and the Delta State Government had significantly helped in reducing the burden of healthcare delivery services.
He noted that the free medical care for pregnant women and children under five years of age in Delta State was a model for other states to emulate, adding that the healthcare policy was a right step in them right direction.
While pledging the readiness of the Committee towards improved healthcare delivery in the country, Auwal called on government at all levels to assist in making healthcare services available and affordable for the masses.
