SPECIAL REPORT ON HEALTH ISSUES: OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL PROTECTION, ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR ALL, SUNDRY-HON. COMMISSIONER FOR HEALTH DR. ALLI

 

BY LEO EZEKIEL

Speaking on two capacities, one as the representative of His Excellency the Executive Governor of Edo State Mr. Godwin Obaseki and as well as the Honourable Commissioner for Health Edo State Dr. Sam Alli states that their goal is to provide financial protection and access to quality health care services for all and sundry adding that it is a testament to their commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage and ensuring that all and sundry are not left behind.

Speaking further to the eclectic audience at the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Edo State Branch Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference with the theme (Implementing the Mandatory National Health Insurance Authority Act of 2022 a sure way to curbing the menace of quackery in Edo State at Doctors House, University of Benin, Ugbowo, Benin City), Dr. Alli says that the theme actually reflects a vital and pressing concern that demands their collective efforts, actions and attention.Accordingly Dr. Alli states that health care is a fundamental human right, and of a truth, it is their collective responsibility as government officials medical professionals and as well as concerned citizenry to ensure that every person has access to quality health care services adding that the menace of quackery poses a significant threat to the health and lives of the citizenry adducing again that they cannot fold their hands and afford to turn a blind eye to the issue any longer. 

He Honourable Commissioner for Health Dr. Alli concurs that quackery, unfortunately , remains a pervasive hassles in their health care sector undermining that trust and confidence that patients place in medical professionals adding that quackery destroys the health and safety of the citizens and as well as erodes the credibility of their medical institutions. And, again he states that quackery hampers their efforts to deliver equitable health care services adducing that it is a challenge that they all must confront head on and that Edo Health Insurance Agency would undoubtedly play a crucial role in crushing the battle.Speaking to the gathering the key note speaker, the president of the world Medical Association Dr. Osahon Enbulele did give along narratives of the theme “Implementing the Compulsory Health Insurance Scheme, a sure way to curb Quackery and of a truth Dr. Enabulele did not disappoint the gathering where he gave the indices of quackery in the system adding that the stakeholders have to do more works so that the cases of quackery could be heavily curbed out from the system. 

Speaking gain to the gathering Dr. Enabulele gave a graphical background history of how Health Insurance Scheme stated in Germany in the year 1911 adding that the Federal Government of Nigeria  has also tried many loops to offer Health Insurance Scheme to the citizenry, but, unfortunately the  programme has not yielded much desired results. 

He added that there has to be financial access of care to health insurance scheme and proper legislation act 2022 has to be adequately implemented for the benefits of all and sundry. He added that quality must be part of ingredients of issuing quality drugs to patients. He adduced that there has to be adequate well trained manpower with heavy motivation. He opined that there has to sustainable financing beyond government and as well as, it is a fundamental human right for all and sundry to access quality health. He told the audience that from 1999-2005 nothing tangible happened to providing quality health to the citizens. 

That in 2014 a presidential launch was done by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. He stated that to attain Edo National Health Insurance Scheme that lots of works needed to be done by all stakeholders. He lamented that Nigeria has not achieved up 5% of enrollees into the system whereas South Africa has 75% and Ghana has 64% of enrollees in their countries. Speaking to the gathering the distinguished speaker Professor Friday Okonofua, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pioneer Vice Chancellor of University of Medical Sciences, Ondo delivered his Lecture titled Grantsmanship: A leeway to Achieving Universal Health Coverage through National Health Insurance. The erudite scholar took a great deal of time in delivering his lectures with slides and he made uncommon presentations whereby he streamlined the principles of Grantsmanship for medical personnel. He opined that there has to be subsidy for health care sector. He concurs that the first principle of grantsmanship is that the idea must be compelling and is the best to relate to social issues adding that the funders would like to see good ideas presented to them for funding. He opined that some assurances of available information for the research work to be done. 

He told the audience there are different proposals: Solicited proposal, Unsolicited proposal and Letters of proposals. Speaking as the Edo State Branch of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Chairman to the gathering Dr. Udoka Imoisili states that it has been a year of leadership training and learning adding that she has been toughened by events and equipped to perform better. Speaking further she says that the challenges are the stepping stones to achieving greater excellence adding that they all have to watch out for the space next year as they are set to glide on Eagles wings.Accordingly Edo State Branch NMA Chairman Dr. Imoisili states that she must remind them emphatically that this is the very first time the Edo North Zone would be hosting the secretariat adding that she is privilege to be part of the history. Speaking again to the gathering she noted that she is grateful for the leaders who thought it wise for an all inductiveness approach to carve out the Edo North Zone from the then central Zone in 2013. Dr. Imoisili appreciated all her elders and members in Edo North who sacrificed their time and hard earned income to see the “Edo North” dream came true adding that she extends a royal salute as they all are her heroes.

She pleasantly informed the audience that the 2023 AGM theme is “Implementing the compulsory health insurance scheme a sure way to curb, quackery while the sub-theme is Grantsmanship: a Leeway to achieving universal health coverage through the National Health Insurance adding that these themes are birthed whiles she was the coordinator of Edo North NMA. She concurs that with all sense of responsibility and heavy burden they sought deeply for answers  to the hydra headed complex and menace of quackery, poor health indices in the state and as well as to improving the economic frontiers of doctors in Edo State. 

She added that they heavily recognized and appreciated the Governor of Edo State Mr. Obaseki for his uncommon efforts in the area of health insurance. She added that they appreciated Dr. Rock Amegor and his team for running with the vision. In closing her welcome address she informed the gathering that the activities lined up for the event are adequately rich and encompassing, laced with academics and entertainment at its heights.