By George Odok
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called for the creation of more cancer centres in Nigeria with a view to reduce the burden of the condition.
Dr Nsikak Nyoyoko, Chairman of NMA in Akwa Ibom, said this on Thursday during the opening of the National Executive Council Meeting of the NMA in Uyo.
He said that the federal and state governments needed to invest massively in the health sector by establishing more cancers centres to address the burden of disease.
Nyoyoko said it was time for the NMA to take the bull by the horn by strengthening health care delivery in Nigeria.
He explained that the NEC meeting would serve as a forum that would produce better managers of patients and health institutions.
The theme of the event was "Strengthening Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria: Addressing Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare Management".
While declaring the meeting open, Gov. Udom Emmanuel of the state, said his adminstration was committed to improve healthcare delivery system in the state.
He explained that the state government had imported 66 containers of medical equipment to boost health system in the state.
"I think this government in the past three and half years have imported sophisticated medicals equipment of the highest standard to the state.
"We have brought in 66 containers of medical equipment for secondary health care delivery system.
"I want to reduce the pressure on the tertiary healthcare delivery system because I don't have control over tertiary," Emmanuel said.
He said, "If the primary healthcare can not sufficiently stand, I must develop secondary healthcare to reduce the pressure."
Emmanuel said his target was to develop secondary healthcare delivery system and also safe life of the people of the state.
He stressed the importance of health sector in the country, saying that his adminstration have passion for heath sector in the state.
Speaking, the National President of NMA, Dr Francis Faduyile, called on state governments to commence the implementation of the primary healthcare insurance scheme in order to make healthcare delivery available to all.
He said that the implementation of the insurance scheme was one of the two critical elements needed in achieving an effective and efficient primary healthcare delivery in the country.
He commended few states in the country that have signed into law the health insurance bills, urging other states to take a cue from such states that have signed it.
“A few states in Nigeria have signed into law health insurance bills; there is still much room for improvement.
“We thank you Gov. Emmanuel for signing primary healthcare management agency bill as well as the state health insurance bill into law.
“However, we call for the speedy implementation so that the good people of Akwa Ibom can enjoy and continue to enjoy the benefits you are showering on them in your administration as the governor of the state,” he said.
The National President said the association was in talks with sister associations in the health care sector to stem the frequent disharmony in the sector.
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