The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Bayelsa Chapter on Wednesday pledged to provide accessible and affordable healthcare to the people despite the current economic challenges.
The doctors assured the public that they were bound by their Hippocratic oath to providing accessible and affordable life saving services to the society at large.
The State’s Chairman of NMA, Dr Keme Pondei, who made the pledge at the 2016 Physicians’ week of the NMA Bayelsa chapter said the week is a period when medical practitioners gather to reassess the state of healthcare.
He said the doctors evaluate the effect on the population and proffer appropriate solutions to improve healthcare delivery.
“We also during this week, provide free healthcare to rural dwellers
in the form of medical outreach.
“Despite the prevailing economic situation in the country, we carried
out a medical outreach at Agbobiri and Okordia communities, Yenagoa
Local Government Area.
“The healthcare indices for the country are really not what they
should be,” he said.
He said the NMA is non-partisan and devoted to the welfare of every Nigerian.
“We are partners in progress with government and welcome the hand of
friendship the current Government of Bayelsa has offered us.
“We appreciate the employment of twenty doctors at the Niger Delta
University Teaching Hospital Okolobiri, facilitation of accreditation
for the Obstetrics and gynaecology department.
“The approval of the corrected CONMESS, approval of land for NMA
Secretariat Complex among others.
“We pray that as partners in progress Government and the NMA will
partner to review the healthcare delivery system in the state.
“There is a need to urgently pass the State Primary Health Care
Development Agency (SPHCDA) bill that is believed to be before the
Bayelsa State House of Assembly,” he said.
Pondei, urged the Bayelsa government to revive the Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme while steps should be taken to join the National Health Insurance Scheme to achieve universal health insurance cover in the state.
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He said the health system functions more effectively with a Commissioner of Health to facilitate the coordination of the Ministry and urged the government to urgently appoint a Commisioner of Health.
The Bayelsa Head of Service, Dr Peter Singabele, said celebration of
the Physicians’ Week was very important for efficient healthcare services.
He stressed the need for doctors to embrace peace and shun rivalry
amongst themselves, as they are one of the key professions that deal
with human life.
“Health is wealth and a healthy population is a wealthy one.
“The current economic situation has increased the morbidity and mortality
of the population, made worse by partial and irregular salaries of workers,’’ he said.
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