The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA) and pharmacists under the aegis of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) have congratulated the President- elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari over his victory in the just concluded presidential election, while expressing readiness to work with him.

 

The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, in its congratulatory message to the President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, said they are ready to work harmoniously with him to guarantee improved health of the nation’s population.

 

“The NMA as the custodians of the people’s health believes that a healthy nation is reflected in the health of her citizenry in both the primary, secondary and tertiary health sectors.

 

“Towards effective governance and meeting the challenges in the health sector towards attaining Universal Health Coverage (UCH), the association is available for collaboration with the government as we have always done towards effective policy planning in charting a better health sector,” the doctors said.

 

The nation’s health sector witnessed its most trying time under the administration of President Jonathan, as professionals, comprising the medical practitioners and other workers in the sector alternated strikes in scores of times over what they often described as intolerable government policies.

 

Hence, public health facilities witnessed unprecedented low patronage arising from unobtainable services in the past three years.

 

Also, Vice President, West African Region of the Commonwealth Medical Association, Dr Osahon Enabulele has urged all Nigerians to support Gen Buhari to enable him make the public health more functional and satisfy the yearnings of the nation’s population.

 

Enabulele stated this in a congratulatory message he signed for the President-elect, a copy of which he made available to National Mirror.

 

He however thanked President Jonathan and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for “midwifing an election that has been widely acknowledged as a substantially transparent, free and credible election.

 

The Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PSN), also congratulated the President- elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, on his victory while listing out agenda set for health.

 

Top on the agenda, according to a letter to the President- elect signed by its President, Olumide Akintayo, is the Universal Health Coverage. The Society says it considers it necessary that the in-coming All Progressive Congress (APC) administration come up with specific action plans on Universal Health Coverage by full incorporation of Community Based Social Health Insurance Programme (CBSHIP).

 

By MARCUS FATUNMOLE AND FRANKA OSAKWE

National Mirrow