'Give priority to health sector,' Stakeholders task Buhari

dimeji akinloye

April 2, 2015 11:58 PM

Some stakeholders in the health sector on Thursday, April 2, advised the President-elect, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to give priority to the health sector to raise the country’s GDP.

They specifically urged the incoming administration to make maternal and child health a priority in order to reduce incidences of maternal and child mortality.

The stakeholders in a Media Engagement themed: "Putting Health Issues on the Election Front Burner in Lagos state’’, said that it will also help achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) four and five.

Chairman, House Committee on Health, Lagos state House of Assembly, Avoseh Hodewu-Suru, said that health services very critical in any society as it had to do with human lives.

"Health services should be put in the front burner and I will task the incoming government to even do more than the current administration had done.

"Access to healthcare delivery should start from the Primary Health Centres (PHC).

"But due to apathy by some local government councils, most of the responsibilities have been shifted to the state and federal government.

"Lagos state has done a lot in the primary health level to reduce maternal and child mortality,’’ he said.

Hodewu stressed that the programme must be propelled by individuals that are well grounded in health matters.

"More qualified medical personnel have been stationed in the primary health facilities as well as the inauguration of Maternal and Childcare Centres (MCCs).

"Again, the idea of flagship PHCs came up and it was decided that all the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs must have at least one PHC, now we have about six flagship centres fully completed and handed over to their LGs.

"I would appeal to those that are going to be elected into offices, to build from what is already in place and make healthcare delivery to be effective, safe and accessible,’’ he said.

dimeji akinloye