Posted on: Fri 10-03-2023

Olumati Isaiah, the Labour Party candidate for Rivers State House of Assembly (Portharcourt Constituency 1) spoke with a medicalworld correspondent on how his candidacy would reposition the healthcare sector in rivers state; He gave reasons why we should vote for him as a vote for him is a vote for an improved and revitalized healthcare sector, hear him: Just as education has suffered greatly in the last 8years, the health care was not spared.

The Primary Health Care Centres and the Mother and Child Centres are not places we want to go to, send family or friends to all things being equal but, how much can an everyday man provide following the cost of living today?

I would love to point you to my thoughts on how my contribution at the House of Assembly can aid to better the positions of these health care centres, however, let us rather come from another angle.

If we consider that all is right with our health care centres, the question now becomes, can the everyday person afford it? Can women still get it to have their babies without feeling the pain of the cost, In the view of todays economy? The answer is No.

It is on record that in 2022 the Rivers State Government gave over N2Billion as GIFTS/Exgratia to other states. It is also on record that the Rivers State Government between 2022 and 2023 combined has given in gifts well over N5billion.

My argument is simple. If the state has in excess of N5billion to throw around gifting people, especially to other states with more wealth than we have, we can as well consider putting such amount of money in our

system and gifting it to our people for health benefits and can be done by putting a select group of persons especially women and Children Under a HMO plan.

At a basic plan of N15,000 that allows them access health care and even up to surgery of not more than N150,000 which will be paid by the government we would be aiding and saving between 2,00,000 - 500,000 people yearly using N5billion as the bench mark. What makes it even better is that the money remains in Rivers State.

This is how we must begin to think as a people.  

Let me assure you again. I am coming with ideas that will make us better as a people. I have the will power and I am  responsible enough to hold the executive arm of Government accountable. All I require is your mandate through your votes.

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