Health
COVID-19: Okowa calls for sustainable health financing in Nigeria
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has called for the adoption and implementation of a viable and sustainable healthcare financing programme for states in the country.
He made the call on Thursday in a statement issued in Asaba after he had addressed the 40th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference of Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in Oghara.
The NARD AGM, with the theme; “Health Care Infrastructure Optimization and Adaptation in the face of a Global Pandemic: The Coronavirus(COVID-19) Challenge”, held at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara.
Okowa said that with an abysmal 0.5 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in public health spending, Nigeria had one of the lowest public healthcare financing globally.
He also advocated for a national policy on responding and managing unforeseen public health crises.
According to him, the absence of such a framework as well as the novel nature of the coronavirus, posed a major drawback in articulating a coordinated response at the initial stage of the pandemic in the country.
The governor said that his administration had agreed to fund 80 per cent of the training requirements enshrined in the Residency Training Act (2017) as agreed with NARD and DELSUTH and urged the doctors to reciprocate the gesture with renewed vigour and commitment to their duties.
He commended medical doctors and healthcare providers for their courage, commitment and determination to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
He disclosed that Nigeria survived COVID-19 and previous public health emergencies/outbreaks due to the sacrifice, dedication, ingenuity and resourcefulness of healthcare providers.
Okowa, however, said “regrettably, many of them got infected during the pandemic, while some, sadly, paid the supreme price.”
He expressed hope that the meeting would offer good opportunity to review the ongoing national efforts to combat the pandemic, as well as assess the country’s readiness to respond appropriately to future public health emergencies.
He said “I believe we can turn this crisis into an opportunity to bolster our health infrastructure, expand capacity and upgrade manpower in the health sector in such a way that our healthcare system will be better poised to deal with future outbreaks.
“Testing was a huge problem because of the shortage of human resources, testing kits, laboratories, and case definition for testing that prioritizes symptomatic cases and their contacts.
“The whole country only attained a daily testing capacity of 2,500 samples late in July, which is a far cry from what it should be for a country of our size.
“Testing was not only extremely low; it took days before the results could be known. Confronted with a fast spreading disease like COVID-19, the delay meant the virus could spread unchecked as it hindered early contact tracing.
“Here in Delta, samples had to be taken to the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State, which served the entire South-South geo-political region of the country.
“The wait was excruciating and exerted immense physical/mental toll on critical health personnel who had to be making frequent trips to Irrua.”
The governor said that the state government was able to reach an arrangement with Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in partnership with Pan African Network for Disease Outbreak Research and Rapid Response (PANDORA) to establish a molecular mobile laboratory in Delta.
He explained that “since then, we have conducted over 9,000 tests in the state, while confirmed cases stood at 1,799 as at Friday, Sept. 18.
“In Delta, we developed a strategic implementation plan focused on clear deliverables that are in line with the provisions of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund component of the National Health Act.
“Similarly, the guidelines of the National Health Insurance Scheme were aligned to the prevailing peculiarities of the Delta State healthcare service system.
“As the frontrunner in the implementation of this scheme, I am proud to inform this gathering that Delta State Government has accredited 405 health facilities to operate the scheme.
“This comprise 268 Primary Health Care Centers, 66 Secondary Healthcare Facilities, 65 Private Healthcare Facilities, one Federal Medical Center, three Abuja Healthcare Facilities and two Lagos Healthcare Facilities to operate the scheme in the state.
“Total number of enrollees is currently 788,740; we can be proud of the progress we have made even though there is still much work to be done.
“In the post COVID-19, there is a compelling need to adopt and implement a viable and sustainable healthcare financing programme for all States in the country.
“Each State is primarily responsible for the financing and implementation of its healthcare system.
“A healthcare financing programme that is focused on up-scaling primary healthcare services, enhancement of human-resource-for-health capacity, deployment of a technology enhanced healthcare services delivery process and improved access to measurable quality healthcare services outcome for all, is an imperative”.
Okowa, who also inspected ongoing rehabilitation of facilities at DELSUTH, expressed his administration’s readiness to extend same to other facilities in the state within the limits of available resources.
The Chairman at the occasion and former Governor of Delta, Chief James Ibori, commended Okowa and former Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan for conceiving the idea of building the teaching hospital in Oghara.
He said doctors were at the vanguard of saving human lives, especially in the pandemic and urged them to remain dedicated.
Also, Uduaghan, who was Guest of Honour at the event, congratulated NARD “for the dexterity in being the military arm of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)”.
He also commended Okowa for approving the Residency Training Programme for doctors in the state.
He said that at the inauguration of Delsuth in 2010, his administration engaged diaspora doctors, nurses and pharmacists to exchange ideas.
“The staff mix helped the image of the hospital to successfully carry out knee replacement surgery and kidney transplant with partnership from the University of Texas.” Uduaghan said.
The President of NMA, Prof. Innocent Ujah, said in a message that NARD had evolved over the years to become vibrant, progressive and a dynamic affiliate of the Nigerian Medical Association.
The Chief Medical Director of Delsuth, Dr Onome Ogueh, said the institution was the apex health organisation in the state with a vision to provide world class health care for all Deltans.
He said the hosting of the 40th Annual General Meeting of NARD in Delsuth was the first time a state university teaching hospital was playing host to the NARD Secretariat.
The National President of NARD, Dr Aliu Sokomba, represented by First Vice President, Dr Julian Ojebo, said the pandemic had brought new challenge to medical practice in a very poorly funded health industry in Nigeria.
Sokomba said NARD fought to ensure the domestication of the Residency Training Act and lauded the contributions of Gov. Okowa to the National Health Act as well as his pioneering efforts toward domestication of the Act.
Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of awards to Gov. Okowa as the Ambassador for State Health Tertiary Institutions in recognition of his contributions to the National Health Act and implementation of the Residency Training Act 2017. (NAN)
….Partners with Anambra State Health Insurance Agency
….Urges Ositadimma Age Grade to Champion Community Development and Support State Initiatives
From Lateef Taiwo
Former Minister of Aviation and Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, Chief Osita Chidoka, has announced the provision of one year’s free health insurance for over 1,000 youths and women in Obosi community under the Nneka Chidoka Outreach Programme.
This initiative, undertaken in partnership with the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, reflects Chief Chidoka’s enduring commitment to expanding access to affordable healthcare and supporting state-led programmes that promote public welfare.
The announcement was made during the Outing visit by the newly formed Ositadimma Age Grade, young men and women born in 1985 and 1986, who adopted Chief Chidoka’s name in recognition of his leadership and service to Obosi. The visit took place at his country home, in the presence of the Ndichie, Abummadu, elders, and other community stakeholders.
Chief Chidoka disclosed that over 300 members of the Ositadimma Age Grade would be enrolled immediately onto the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme at ₦12,500 per person, with other civic youth organisations in Obosi to follow shortly, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to over 1,000. Staffs of the Agency were present to commence the registration.
“Health insurance is not a luxury. It is a civic right and a public good,” Chidoka stated. “I am proud to support the Anambra State Government’s efforts to make quality healthcare accessible to our people.”
Beyond healthcare, Chief Chidoka outlined a Four-Point Agenda to guide the age grade’s activities and ensure its long-term contribution to community development:
- Health Insurance Scheme: Fully embrace the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme and encourage wider enrolment beyond the group.
- Savings Culture: Establish a cooperative savings scheme that will enable the group to undertake a significant community project by their 10th anniversary.
- Group Life Insurance: Put in place a group life insurance policy to provide social protection and ensure mutual support in times of adversity.
- Public School Monitoring: Act as community monitors of the Governor Charles Soludo-led administration’s free education policy to ensure that no child in Obosi is left behind.
To support the savings initiative, Chief Chidoka donated ₦500,000 as seed capital for the age grade’s fund, to be lodged with Adike Microfinance Bank, Obosi. Chiefs Mgbakogu and Udemba donated ₦150,000 and ₦200,000 while various other sums were donated by other Chiefs present.
“Your Golden Decade — that critical period between the ages of 25 and 35 — is your foundation, use it for family, community and country. Apply Uche, Uchu na EgwuChukwu in all your endeavours.” Chidoka advised.
Describing the age-grade system as a uniquely Igbo institution for social progress, Chief Chidoka called on the group to sustain the tradition through innovation, collective responsibility, and a deep sense of service.
In appreciation, the Ositadimma Age Grade presented Chief Chidoka with an Award of Honour, recognising his visionary leadership, philanthropy, and enduring commitment to youth empowerment and community development.
This initiative reaffirms Chief Osita Chidoka’s stature as a patriotic son of Anambra, a firm supporter of progressive state policies, and a tireless advocate for community-led transformation.
From Lateef Taiwo
The Nasarawa state government has pledged to collaborate with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) with aims to improve healthcare quality by fostering better working conditions, training, and resource availability for resident doctors.
This, the partnership could lead to enhanced medical services, reduced healthcare challenges, and overall improved patient outcomes in the state.
Deputy Governor of Nasarawa state, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, made the commitment during the flag-off of a two-day training workshop organized by the North Central zone of the Nigerian Medical Association, in collaboration with the Damilola Adeyemi Cardiovascular Foundation (DAC-FOUND), held at the Federal Medical Center Keffi, on Wednesday.
The Deputy Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Gaza Gwamna, said the event was in line with the state government’s policy to transform the health sector for the betterment of its citizens.
He assured the management of the Federal Medical Center and the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors of continued partnership to enhance quality healthcare services to the people of Nasarawa state. According to him, the Nasarawa state government has been supporting health practitioners and institutions with facilities to enable them to carry out their duties as expected.
The Speaker of the Nasarawa state House of Assembly, Dr. Danladi Jatau, commended the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, FMC Keffi chapter, for organizing the North Central training workshop in a bid to provide healthcare services to the people.
Dr. Jatau reiterated that the Nasarawa state House of Assembly, under his leadership, will continue to enact laws that will promote healthcare services to citizens of the state and called on the participants to ensure proper utilization of the knowledge gained during the workshop.
The Speaker emphasized that the state assembly will work closely with the various medical associations in the state to ensure they are protected by laws for the smooth running of their affairs.
He announced the donation of five hundred thousand Naira to the association as his candid support, urging them to make proper use of it to achieve their objectives.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, FMC Keffi chapter, Dr. Ashimom Timothy Msughter, said the event was organized to educate people on the need to know how to provide basic healthcare services before taking patients to the hospital.
The NSHA Speaker Dr. Danladi Jatau while presenting an award to Commissioner for health Dr Gaza Gwamna during NARD Zonal event.
Dr. Ashimom thanked the Nasarawa state government and the Speaker of the state Assembly for their support to the association and promised to continue delivering quality healthcare services to the people.
He said the participants at the event including, federal road safety Corps, NSCDC, fire service among other relevant stakeholders Will be trained for two day on the need to know ways of providing first health care services to the people.
The Medical Director/CO of the Federal Medical Director of Federal Medical Center, Keffi Dr Yahaya Baba Adamu appreciated the efforts of the organizers of event and assured them of his support to enable the association achieved their goals
Highpoint at the event was the award presented to the deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, the speaker, Danladi Jatau, the commissioner for health, Dr. Gaza Gwamna and Medical director of FMC, Dr. Yahaya Baba Adamu among others.
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Kwara State Government has reiterated its commitment to improving oral health across the state, describing it as a vital component of general wellbeing.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, reiterated this at the opening ceremony of a three-day free oral health outreach, organised by the State Ministry of Health in partnership with Pharma Decko PLC.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Oluwatosin Fakayode, described oral health as a frequently overlooked but essential aspect of healthcare.
“Oral health is the cornerstone of overall health, yet it is often neglected, poor oral hygiene contributes to several non-communicable diseases, though its effects are gradual and often unnoticed until they become serious. That’s why this outreach is timely and essential,” El-Imam said.
She applauded Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his sustained investment in healthcare, especially the recent renovation and equipping of the state’s dental clinic.
The Commissioner urged residents to take full advantage of the outreach by accessing free dental checks and professional guidance on maintaining good oral hygiene.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Pharma Decko PLC, Mr. Ishola Olukayode, lauded the Kwara State Government, as well as the Ministry of Health, for their support for the initiative, adding that; “despite the short notice, the Ministry gave them overwhelming support which they profoundly appreciated.
“Pharma Decko PLC is committed to supporting oral health in Nigeria. Unfortunately, many people unknowingly use dangerous chemicals on their teeth due to a lack of awareness, putting their overall health at risk,” Mr Olukayode explained.
He emphasised that proper oral hygiene goes beyond brushing the teeth, stressing the need for regular professional check-ups and community awareness campaigns.
In a brief oral health education session, the Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr. Kasali Ajao, revealed that brushing alone addresses only about 40 percent of oral hygiene needs.
He noted that professional procedures such as scaling and polishing, recommended for at least twice a year, are necessary for comprehensive dental care.
Residents have, therefore, been encouraged to take advantage of the free Dental Care outreach holding at the Dental Unit of KWASUTH between Tuesday and Thursday this week for their oral diagnoses and treatments.
End
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