The Chairman of EKO Hospitals, Dr. Amaechi Obiora, has advised governments at all levels and health institutions to invest more in the healthcare system in the country.
Obiora, the Onya Ozoma of Onitsha in Anambra State, gave the advice on the sideline of his 80th birthday celebration in Lagos. Obiora lauded the three tiers of government for the progress recorded in their healthcare delivery services.
He, however, advised them to increase their current financial inputs to enhance people`s health status.
Dr Obiora said: “The major reason for more investment in the healthcare system is because it constitutes a major factor to national development. “Good healthcare delivery is necessary for national development and efficient health service will facilitate people’s capacity to develop. “The health of a nation is one of its developmental indices; if a nation is healthy then it develops very fast.” Obiora also advised all healthcare workers to always act as professionals at their various centers to help the government boost the sector.
Obiora said healthcare workers should exhibit best routine practices that could make them compete with their contemporaries elsewhere.
He advised them against pursuing monetary influence but service to humanity, he said.
Also speaking, Dr. Sonny Kuku, a consultant endocrinologist, said Nigeria needed improvement in all aspects of its healthcare delivery system.
An endocrinologist is a physician who specializes in treating disorders of the endocrine system such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism and other diseases.
Kuku, also the Chairman of the Board, Eko Hospitals, said Nigeria’s general healthcare system was still largely deficient across the three tiers when compared to other developing countries.
Kuku said: “Government at all levels has yet to address most of the basic challenges confronting the health sector in Nigeria. “Most of the patients cannot afford private hospitals’ high charges which make them depend on public and primary health centers. “Government needs to finance and raise funds for both federal and state health institutions.
“They should also strengthen the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) so that the poor will be able to benefit.” Kuku also advised all health workers to adhere strictly to their Hippocratic oaths they sworn to uphold for the benefits of the citizenry. The consultant also urged all health workers to collectively to protect the interests of the nation and individuals,
They should also promote professionalism and other ethical practices to save human lives, he said.
Credit: The Eagle online