By Asma’u Ahmad
Professor Ayo Arowojolu of University College Hospital, (UCH), Ibadan, has called for attitudinal change of all stakeholders to save the health system of the country.
The professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, made the appeal as a guest lecturer at the annual general reunion of Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association.
He said that the health system was facing many daunting challenges which have affected the country’s health indices and demographic statistics.
According to him, research now showed that the average life expectancy of Nigerians at birth has dropped from 54 years in 2005 to 45 years in recent years.
Prof. Arowojolu that the poor state of the health system was attributed to the collapse of the primary and secondary tier levels of medical care.
He attributed archaic and substandard nature of health facilities as the major challenge to healthcare delivery system in the country.
“Some states in the federation still rely on the old general hospitals built by the colonial masters pre-independence while many facilities lack modern day equipment needed for the current trend in medical facilities,” he said.
He said that this has resulted to a rise in medical tourism where wealthy Nigerians travel abroad for medical attention.
Arowojolu said that research also showed that more than 5,000 Nigerians travel abroad for medical attention every month resulting in loss of N78 billion annually to capital flight.
The gynaecologist said that unemployment and lack of political will by the Federal and most State Governments to invest adequately on health have combine to compound the problems of healthcare delivery.
He called on the government to make ambulance services available and mandatory in all local government areas which are lacking in most Nigerian communities.
The National President of the association, Mr. Biodun Jolaoye, said that the lecture was timely in view of the fact that the concept of healthcare system has always been faced with ill health.
Mr. Jolaoye said that the annual event always dwells on issues of national interest, adding that speakers are only distinguished old boys.
