The Nigerian Medical Association Rivers State Chapter said it will collaborate with Non Governmental Agencies to monitor state government budget allocated to the health sector.
The Chairman Nigerian Medical Association Rivers State Chapter Dr. Furo Green dropped the hint with journalists at a press briefing to mark the flag-off of the 2015 physician’s week.
The ceremony took place at the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital (BMH), Port Harcourt. Dr. Green in an address presented at the event acknowledged the paltry sum allocated to the health sector by the Rivers State government which is about 1.2% of the total budget noting that is below the World Health Organization standard saying such amount cannot provide enough for the sector as provided by the Abuja declaration in 2001.
He, however maintained that despite the low percentage to the sector by government the Association will do everything possible to block the leakages by making sure the budget allocated to the Health Sector is implemented to the fullest. Dr. Green stated that the physician’s week is an annual festival used to appreciate citizens for the confidence in the Doctors as they use the period to rededicate themselves for the service of humanity and quality health service through an improved budgetary allocation to health.
The chairman of NMA used the event to appeal to parents, traditional rulers, and community leaders to intensify effort in immunization of their wards which is free and the vaccine are also available.
Dr. Green while commending the Rivers State Government for ensuring the full take-off of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology Medical School next year to boost man-power called for collaboration with the Ministry of Environment to tackle flood related diseases and those that threw refuge into the drainages should be prosecuted.
Answering questions from journalists, Dr. Green said Medical Doctors posted to the rural areas are not enough as they need more. On free medical care by government of Rivers State, he said Gov. Nyensom Wike is yet to come out with his policy on health.
Commenting on the war on polio, he said Nigeria has being delisted from the country’s with polio but explained that immunization against measles and other diseases are available free of charge in all Rivers State government Health Centers as Doctors are advised to treat bullet wounds as directed by the Inspector General of Police, while kicking against the rate of advertising of traditional medicine in the state.
The Theme of the physician week is “Disease Eradication in Nigeria, the polio success story and prospects for Measles Eradication”, the week continues with series of activities. ###
Pius Dukor
