BENIN CITY/By Nuel Suji – The Edo State Government has said that it will make healthcare services accessible and affordable to the people, irrespective of their economic status in the society.
The State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu stated this while speaking at a two-day Health Workshop organized in Benin with medical experts and the minister of State for Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire in attendance.
The workshop with theme “Remodelling the Health Care Delivery in Edo State: New Vision, New Horizons was organized by Edo State government to get expert advice on the way forward in the health sector.
Hon. Shaibu who represented the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki assured that the present administration is determined to give the health sector a new dimension, stressing that ending polio, malaria, malnutrition and other diseases were considered priority in the administration’s health programme.
“With the right policies in place, health related issues would be solved in the state, especially for the low income earners, the less privileged and the rural communities, he explained.
The Minister of State for Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire who was workshop chairman advocated for the domestication of National Insurance Scheme in Edo State to ensure easy access to health care services for the people.
Dr. Ehanire also implored the federal government to introduce social security programme in order to adequately address the issues of social imbalances, illiteracy and diseases in the country.
The minister expressed worry over Nigeria’s health status with annual statistical figures of 2,300 under 5 years old children and 145 women of childbearing age bracket to ranking second highest contribution to child and maternal deaths globally.
He lauded Governor Obaseki for his leadership quality and steps taken so far since assumption of office. In an interview with journalists, the National president of the Nigerian Medical Association, Prof. Mike Ogiri also commended the state government for the workshop and sued for sustenance of such initiative, saying that the outcome of the workshop will no doubt contribute to the development of the health sector.
Also speaking, a popular edo tradomedical doctor in the state, HRH Thomas Omo Oleabhiele made a case for traditional medical practice, advising government to copy the Chinese model by developing traditional medicines along orthodox practice.
