As Nigeria joins other nations to mark the 2023 World Health Day, medical experts in Nasarawa State have called on government at all levels to increase funding for health programs to ensure accessibility and optimal service delivery for the citizens.
The medical practitioners also urged government to pay adequate attention to improving primary health care centers across the country.
One time Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA Nasarawa State Chapter, Dr Barnabas Agu, while reflecting on the level of attention given to the health sector over the years, said health care delivery between the 1970s and early 80s was impressive due to high level of commitment by the government.
He stated that by mid 80s, the situation began to deteriorate especially in government owned health facilities as a result of inadequate attention and decline in budgetary allocation which led to untimely retirement of doctors and brain drain in the medical practice without concerted efforts to reverse the trend.
Dr Barnabas Agu called on young medical doctors and health workers not to relent in delivering health care services to the people especially the vulnerable irrespective of the challenging working environment they find themselves.
Another medical practitioner, Dr. Michael Dadet pointed out that health for all Nigerians regardless of status is achievable if leaders at all levels would entrench a formidable and sustainable roadmap towards strengthening the health sector.
A Senior Nursing Officer in Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, Mr Aliyu Joseph stressed the need for a strong and realistic political will aimed at providing adequate welfare for health workers and addressing man power deficits in health facilities across the country.
Mr Aliyu Joseph also called on government to put in place strong and efficient disciplinary measures to check incessant rivalry and needless barriers between certain categories of the heath workers especially doctors and nurses to ensure seamless service delivery.
Reporting by Chris Nyamtu; Editing by Oluwaseyi Ajibade and Julian Osamoto