Medical directors cry out over economic recession

The Cross River State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, (NMA) has expressed worry over the current economic recession which is affecting virtually every facet of the economy.

The medical doctors say the cost of materials is on an upward progression while the cost of treatment has not changed urging that the situation requires urgent attention.

These worries were expressed in Calabar during the Nigerian Medical Association Cross River State Physicians week 2016. Theme for the workshop was “Health Care in the frail economy”.

Declaring the event open, the Chief of Medical Director of the University of Calabar, Thamos Agan said that the theme could not have come at a better time.

“Cost of materials is increasing every day while the cost of treatment has not changed. For our budget, we have never met the expectations of WHO”. He further thanked members and assured that the National Health Act is currently being discussed .

In a lecture titled “Healthcare in a fragile economy,” the guest lecturer, Ikpeme A. Ikpeme touched on the benefits of a functional healthcare system needed for private partnership PPP in healthcare, the role of leadership and governance, the consequences of a weak economy on health care, health information system, sources of health financing, service delivery and several other issues affecting the sector.

On the way forward, Ikpeme talked on the need to strengthen institutions and governance, improved intra-and inter-sectoral communication and health information among other recommendations.

Similarly, Atang Ewa in his paper titled ‘Tuberculosis control activities in Nigeria: Strategies for finding the missing cases’, talked on the burden of TB, the reality of TB in Nigeria, its prevalence and the future of its control in Nigeria.

Participants called on government to do something urgently to check the current recession in the economy.

They also expressed worry that quacks and herbal medicine sellers are now having a filled day advertising and selling their herbs which is being highly patronised by the populace because of economic recession.