Ogun Doctors Slam Amosun over inadequate attention to Health Matters
Busolami Idowu
The Nigerian Medical Association Ogun State Chapter have called on the State Government to place premium attention to health matters in the state.
The state government under the leadership of Governor Ibikunle Amosun has been upgrading moribund infrastructure across the state since assumption of office. The upgrade cuts across all sector of the economy, roads are been upgraded in large scale.
However, the state NMA accused Governor Amosun of not putting qualitative and accessible health-care delivery system on the priority list.
The association hinged its position on what it called abysmal present state of the health system in the state.
While addressing a news conference as part of activities marking the annual physicians week celebration with the theme: “Federalism and Nigeria’s Healthcare System: An Appraisal of the Primary and Secondary Healthcare System,” the state chairman of the association, Dr Olusoji Jagun, said that mid-term assessment of the health sector in the state indicated failure on the part of the government.
Jagun further added that primary, secondary and tertiary health institutions in the state were either underfunded or not funded at all.
“The Ogun State government has accepted that it cannot provide the free health care services which it promised the people of Ogun state during the electioneering campaign. Health is the second point on the agenda but our mid-term assessment shows an abysmal failure and political deceit.”
A source close the Commissioner of Health who pleaded anonymity said the NMA has not been fair to the State Government. “The condition of the Health institution this administration met under two years ago aside salary and allowances arrears running to several months was a sorry tale.”
He further said the State Government has set up an Ad-hoc Committee that is working on a sustainable mid and long term Health Framework for the State upon which the state Health Policy can run without any problem in the future.
The mediacal association however said solution to the myriads of problems in the sector was not the building of new hospitals or health care centers as intended by the government, especially specialist centers, describing it as unnecessary and uneconomical.”
To this allegation and complaints, an expert and a World Bank Consultant Dr. Olagoke Adio said no state or nation can achieve any meaningful Millennium Development Goal impact without a working framework similar to what the State Health Ministry under a capable hand like Dr. Soyinka.
“I am confident that Ogun State is on the right track, the NMA and other health worker just need to be patient with the state government. Everyone will see result just as the result of rebuilding road infrastructure are yielding meaningful results.” Adio said
