The National President of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, Dr. Obinna Ogbonna, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to enact a law that will prevent public officials from using public funds for foreign medical treatment.

 

He said the measure was imperative to ensure that policy makers and implementers pay attention to the development of the health sector.

 

Speaking during the NUAHP’s investiture and public presentation of a book in Ilorin, Kwara capital, Ogbonna said Nigerian health professionals were competent to handle many health issues, adding that with good equipment and facilities, as well as conducive working environment and good welfare package, they could compare favourably with health professionals abroad.

 

Ogbonna said, “President Buhari government and the NASS should enact a law that will prevent government officials and other public servants from using public funds for foreign medical tourism.

 

“This will make our policy makers and implementers to ensure that we have standard health care system that will cater for everybody.”

 

 

He urged the government to stop what he described as “favouritism” and other internal misgivings in the health sector, in order to prevent recurrent strikes by health professionals.

 

He lamented that members of the union and other units in the health sector were not well regarded by doctors; saying, “There is inequality, marginalisation and victimisation of other health practitioners other than medical doctors.”

 

Ogbonna advocated stakeholders’ meeting to discuss the challenges in the health sector, with a view to proffering long-lasting solution.

 

BY SUCCESS NWOGU

THE PUNCH