HEALTH IS YOUR RIGHT, NOT DEMOCRACY DIVIDENDS, AKEREDOLU TELLS CITIZENS

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has described good health as a basic right of citizens.

The governor stated this while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2019 Nigerian Medical Association, NMA Physicians' Week held in Akure, the state capital.

Represented at the event by his deputy, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, Akeredolu said it was in realization of this that his administration from inception had formulated policies that were aimed at boosting healthcare delivery system.

According to him, his administration, in a bid to provide affordable and sustainable funding of quality healthcare service, had signed into law the establishment Ondo State Contributory Health Scheme which would soon commence free maternal and under-five children services at the point of care.

He added that approval had also been given for the procurement of medical equipment worth several millions of naira as well as the recruitment of health workers to improve the diagnostic and therapeutic capacities of Primary Healthcare system in the state.

Noting that the theme of this year's Physicians' Week, ' Care for the Unknown Patient: An Overview' was apt and timely, the governor said all the health policies in the state were targeted at all categories of the people as no one knew who the next patient would be.

Earlier in his address, the National President of the NMA, Dr. Adedayo Faduyile said the association chose the theme for this celebration of the Physicians' Week, Care for the Unknown Patient' to address the challenges faced by them especially to advocate for policy framework.

His words, 'the theme ' Care for the Unknown Patient: An Overview' was chosen to bring to the fore the issues affecting Nigerians who suddenly found themselves in an unconscious state from traumatic caused majorly Road Traffic Accident or medical conditions,' he said.

He lamented the situation where innocent Nigerians died in emergency situation as a result of no deliberate provision of facilities to meet their need, calling for more fund for the health sector by all levels of government to improve health.

While calling for condusive working environment for doctors across the country, Dr. Faduyile called on the Nigeria Police to provide necessary protection for doctors.

Also speaking at the event, Ondo State Health Commissioner, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro, said everyone one has access to medical services without financial embarrassment in the state including the unknown patients.

He hinted that a comprehensive contributory health scheme to cater for pregnant women, children and other valuable persons would soon be launched as part of moves to boost health care delivery.