The health care system over the years in Nigeria have suffered neglect and bedeviled with myriads of challenges begging for urgent actions.
Taking a close look at budgetary provision to the health sector in Nigeria in comparison to other countries of the world, experts are marveled considering it is far less to what is obtainable in other countries of the world.
In fore-durance to the lapses and deficiencies in the health care system in the state, the Lagos state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association ((NMA) is organizing a gubernatorial debate for governorship candidates in the State on improved health and welfare of the citizens.
Dr. Saliu Oseni, the Lagos state chairman of NMA confirmed the interest of seven of the candidates to participate in the Gubernatorial Debate/ Leadership Retreat slated for January 30th, 2019, at the Radisson Blu, Ikeja,
Candidates that have indicated interest to participate in the gubernatorial debate are; All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu; Action Democratic Party, ADP, Mr Babatunde, Gbadamosi; National Conscience Party, NCP Mr. Funso Awe; Alliance for New Nigeria, ANN, Mr Francis Adebayo; UDP, Dr Sam Anyamele, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Mr Jimi Agbaje, and AD, Mr Owolabi Salis.
The Chairman in his statement said “The citizens have been forced by law to co-fund health provision in the state. Therefore, it has become important to create a platform for the gubernatorial candidates to unveil their plans for health and welfare of the people.
“This informed the efforts of the Association as the custodian of our people’s health to bring the candidates to task in Governorship Debate,” Oseni explained.
To ensure adequate representation of the views and opinions of various segments of the public in setting the agenda for health, the association involved other concerned parties and the media.
Dr. Oseni explained further that the retreat was solely to address issues including, brain drain, quackery, the recently launched Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme and shortage of health workforce.
The activity would also look at the issues being raise about the Lagos health insurance scheme.
“Despite the brain drain, we still have a lot of doctors that are jobless. We really need to critically look into why we are still short staffed; so it became very important that we should bring together all the stakeholders in the health sector to look into this.
He added that “These and more are questions we wish to provide answers to through robust discuss by professionals and stakeholders at the leadership retreat, and at the same time ensure industrial harmony and improvement in health indices in the overall interest of Lagosians.”