BY OLUWATOSIN IGHOTEGUONO
Safeguarding the health of the citizens and provision of quality healthcare is one of the expected basic responsibilities of government .
With a new administration in Nigeria , Some stakeholders in Akure, Ondo state who spoke with staff reporter
have demanded a more vibrant health sector as Senator Bola Tinubu becomes the 16th president of Africa’s most populous country.
The health sector is seen as one important sector going by the popular adage which says health is wealth .
In Nigeria , the sector has been faced with a prominent challenge of under funding even as stakeholders complained of low budgetary allocation to the sector.
Although the 5.75 per cent allocated to health in the 2023 budget was an increase from the 4.7 per cent allocated in 2022 , health experts said more advocacy was needed to ensure the government surpasses the recommended 15 per cent.
Another prominent challenge facing the sector is brain drain which analysts said if not checked could turn the sector into a shadow of itself.
It is in view of this that a cross section of Ondo state residents appealed to the new administration to as a matter of urgency transform the health sector for a healthy nation.
One of them, Mrs Nike Sotounwa called for improved budgetary allocation while stakeholders should ensure proper utilisation of the funds to check medical tourism.
Another resident, Mrs Tosin Akindoju stressed the need for regular training of medical personnel and upgrade of facilities from primary to tertiary health institutions.
On his part, Mr Gbenga Adeyemi advised the new administration to expand the scope of the National Health insurance Authority to accommodate more Nigerians and make it more efficient especially for the benefit of the masses.
Lending his voice from a professional angle, The Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Primary healthcare development Agency, Dr Francis Akanbiemu asked the new administration to tackle the issue of brain drain by implementing policies that were favourable to medical personnel.
The chairman, National Association of Nurses and midwives in Ondo state, Mr Kehinde Olomiye who lamented the exodus of Nurses to countries abroad charged the government to revamp the health sector and make it more rewarding for both medical practitioners and health workers .
Many residents are hopeful that the Tinubu administration would implement policies that would reposition the health sector and make it more responsive to the health needs of the people.