By Asmau Ahmad
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate has expressed great concern over the challenges bedevilling the health sector in the country.
He made the remark at the opening ceremony of the 13th Biennial Delegates Meeting and Scientific Conference of Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association held in Kano State on Thursday.
The minister, who was represented by the Chief Medical Director of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) Kano, Professor Abdurrahman Sheshe, listed some of the problems plaguing the health sector including poor funding, brain drain, lack of facilities, obsolete equipment, and lack of personnel, especially in the rural areas.
According to him, the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working hard to change the ugly situation in order to strengthen the health sector.
“All these problems are part of what the current administration is working to change in order to enhance the health sector,” Pate added.
According to him, the problems have caused a lot of problems, especially in the area of maternal and child mortality.
The minister expressed the readiness and willingness of the government to work hand in hand with those willing to contribute towards resolving the problems, especially the MDCAN, saying his doors will always be open for useful advice and suggestions.
In his address, the President of MDCAN, Professor Victor Makanjuola, called for an immediate solution to the exodus of consultants from Nigeria to other countries in search of greener pastures.
“The need to have frank discussions and innovate speedily to address these challenges cannot be over-emphasized.
“The theme of this year’s conference: Medical Education in Nigeria at Cross Roads: Challenges of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Medical Education and Way Forward is extremely important and timely,” he said.
MDCAN said the conference was aimed at x-raying new developments in the profession, reviewing existing practices, and showcasing innovations by colleagues in the health and medical education industry.
