The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) supports the deregulation of the oil sector but with a caveat that part of the palliatives should include the immediate release of at least 5% of the consolidated revenue fund as the basic health care provision fund (BHPF) which the National Health Act has given to Nigerians and guarantees it's availability. 

 

This would revamp Primary Health Care (PHC) and reinvigorate the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to cover all Nigerians.

 

We also press for the immediate rehabilitation and establishment of functional PHC in all the wards nationwide as a way of cushioning the harsh effects of out-of-pocket expenditure and various inequities in Healthcare delivery.

 

NMA also urge the Government to mobilise contractors to sites of road rehabilitations as this will reduce delays in reaching health care facilities and reduce road traffic accidents in the country.

 

We call for the immediate establishment of National emergency ambulance service for quick rescue and resuscitation of emergencies from our roads, provision of low tariff buses and rehabilitation of our railway system.

 

Signed:

 

Mike Ozovehe Ogirima

Professor of Orthopaedics & Trauma Surgery.Medicalworldnigeria.com

PRESIDENT, NIGERIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION