Expert advocates more fund to health sector, review delivery system

Government at all levels in Nigeria has been charged to review the existing health-care delivery system towards addressing emerging challenges in the sector.

Ibrahim Abdullah, a Human Resource consultant in Health area, gave the charge while speaking with newsmen in Ilorin on this year’s Glaucoma Day.

According to him, the need for all tiers of governments to update their existing health facilities with modern equipment and qualified health personnel is pertinent. adding that, that was the only way to curtail travel to other countries for health matters and to adequately cater for the needs of the Nigerians.

Abdullah who stressed the need for the government to inject more funds into critical branches of medicine and specific areas of the health sector to further improve the well being of Nigerians, also noted that the health sector needs vital information and consistent public awareness to sensitize the people on danger and prevention of outbreak of diseases.

Abdullah equally encouraged public and private media owners in the country to assist their organizations with financial and logistic support to effectively embark on public health awareness activities.

While appealing to the Kwara State government to establish a special Eye Care Center in all the three Senatorial Districts of the state to provide timely medical interventions on Eye related diseases, applauded the Wife of the Governor Omolewa Ahmed for her interest on cancer detection, treatment and management in the state.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government on Wednesday inaugurated a committee to oversee the distribution of N1.1 million Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets across the 16 local councils of the state.

Atolagbe Alege, the state Commissioner for Health who disclosed this while inaugurating the committee in Ilorin, pointed out that the aim was to protect the people from mosquito-related illnesses. adding that, the essence of the committee was to ensure a hitch-free distribution of the nets.

According to Atolagbe, the state government will ensure that the traditional leaders, local government officials and those at ward level, among others, were involved in the distribution. The panel members include members of the security service, workers in the ministries of Health, Information and NGOs.

In his submission, Abdulsalam Idris, Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Ministry of Health reiterated that the nets would save mothers, children and pregnant women from malaria.

SIKIRAT SHEHU