By Asma’u Ahmad
A WHO Consultant with the World Health Organisation (WHO), Professor Fola Tayo, has appealed to the Federal Government to meet the basic medical needs of Nigerians.
Tayo, who is also the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, made the plea in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
He spoke on his conferment as the “2018 Lifetime Achievement Awardee’’ by the Global Health Projects and Resources in partnership with the Anadach Group in Lagos.
Tayo received the award on Friday night at the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award 2018 held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.
He is also the WHO Consultant in Anti-cancer Medicines and the Chairman, Association of Pro-Chancellors of Private Universities in Nigeria.
According to him, lack of basic medical care in Nigeria forced many Nigerians to go abroad for medical attention, leading to medical tourism.
“Medical tourism has a lot of implications. Medical tourism is a direct condemnation of a nation’s healthcare system.
“Medical tourism drains Nigeria resources through spending of huge amount outside the country, yet our medical and nursing schools are not in good shape,’’ he said.
Tayo said that most of the laboratories in the country’s health facilities were empty. “No drugs anywhere and no adequate medical personnel in all the hospitals across the country.
“Most of us that cut short our lucrative positions overseas to come and work in Nigeria are personally disappointed.“All our efforts in the 70s and 80s are wasted because we don’t have competent people to handle our healthcare system now.
“Nigeria has no business with poverty, because we have enormous resources, yet we cannot pay minimum wage of N18, 000 to the workers.
“Government should contract the management of the nation’s healthcare system to experienced hands. “All the nation’s stolen money retrieved by the Federal Government should be invested into our education and health, because these two systems are very important,’’ the WHO consultant said.
Tayo, however, urged all health workers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, among others, to work for humanity and services to help improve the nation’s basic healthcare.
Commenting, Mr Adesina Abubakre, the Bursar, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, urged government at all levels to improve the budgetary allocation to health and education sector.
“Budget allocated annually to the health sector is too low; but how much of the budget actually go into the provision of medical equipment?
“I strongly believe that provision of good and standard medical equipment will really help health professionals to deliver quality healthcare delivery.
“All medical professionals should learn to synergise and bring the best out of their professions. “Incessant internal crisis in the health sector is not worth it; but working together will enable them to achieve the best from the profession,” he said.
Abubakre said that Caleb University was planning to establish medical college, which would be equipped with good medical facilities and equipment as its contribution to the health sector.
