By Asma’u Ahmad
The Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, said that the state government was making plans to establish its first cardiovascular centre, to discourage medical tourism.
Dr. Adeduntan made the disclosure during a Legislative Advocacy Retreat for Oyo House of Assembly on Increased Domestic Funding for Health especially Child and Family Health Issues in Oyo. Newsmen report that the retreat was organised by the Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFAH) in collaboration with the Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON).
The commissioner said the plan was in line with the Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led administration’s promise to provide sustainable healthcare for the residents.
“The establishment of a cardiovascular centre will help to drive revenue generation in the state, as well as stop capital flight brought by medical tourism,” he said.
The commissioner commended the state legislature for its support to the executive, to ensure the passage of the Health Insurance Agency Bill and the Primary Healthcare Bill.
The Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Musa Abdulwasiu, said that the legislature would give priority to the health sector through responsive laws and legislation.
Executive Secretary of HERFON, Dr. Emmanuel Abanida said that health issues in particular, and that of children and women, needed to be given priority in legislation.
Dr. Abanida said that health was no longer a social sector issue but an economic and developmental one.
