Group Says Lack Of Political Will, Corruption Responsible For Nigeria’s Poor Health Sector

Posted by Ignatius Okpara African News, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Wednesday, March 24th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Disturbed by the sorry state of facilities in Nigeria’s health sector, a non governmental organization, Millennium Center For Training, and Leadership, with headquarters in Lagos, has identified lack of political will and mismanagement of resources by those in authorities as the key factors responsible for the mess in the sector.

It noted that Nigeria as a county has the resources, and capacity, to put in place 21st century state of the art medical equipment in all it’s health facilities across the nation, but has remained in the present terrible situation due to corruption and misplacement of priority by policy makers.

President of the organization, Prince Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, stated this while briefing newsmen Wednesday on a one day National Conference on Health issues in Nigeria, with the theme: “Technology, As a Bridge For Health Security, Socio- Economic Stability And Brain Gain” scheduled to take place in Enugu on Thursday.

He posited that not until political leaders in the country at all levels begin to accord the health sector the attention it deserves as well as placed it in their priority lists, the issue of dwindling and dilapidated health facilities would continue to remain a recurring decimal in the nation.

Onuakalusi, disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu will be the guest Speaker, while former Minister of Power and Energy, professor Chinedu Nebo, will chair the event.

He said some of the discussants will include Professor Basden Onwubere, who is the Chairman, National Centre of Excellence for Cardio thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Dr. Uche Unigwe Head, Infectious Diseases Department and Coordinator University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Covid 19 management team, amongst others.

“We are expecting people from all walks of life. We have assembled the best brains and hands in the Health sector, in the Eastern region of Nigeria who will be speaking on different areas of health.

According to him, at the end of the conference, the organizers will meet to evaluate the outcome of the deliberation with a view to coming out with a blueprint on the way forward.

“This conference became necessary because the national Health issue has remained a serious problem in Nigeria” Onuakalusi stated.