Healthcare: FG seeks stronger collaboration with partners

By Aminci Samuel

President Muhammadu Buhari has called for stronger collaboration with partners towards provision of quality health care services in Nigeria, adding that it would reverse the poor health indices.
The President, who was represented by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, made this known at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Continental Association of African Neurosurgical Societies (CAANS) 2018), held in Abuja recently.
A statement issued yesterday by Mrs. Boade Akinola, Director, Media and Public Relations in the Ministry of Health, quoted the President as saying, ‘’ Government will provide the enabling environment for the practices and growth of neurosurgery in Nigeria. we are in support of the renewed focus of the West Africa College of surgeons and the National Post Graduate of Medical College’s determination to build capacity in these specialized areas,’’
It said President Buhari noted that ‘’Nigeria has developed the new National Strategic Health Development Plan II which is a robust five year roadmap for the Nigeria Health Sector. It is geared towards the realization of our goal of increasing access, improving health outcomes and achieving universal health coverage’’.
He informed that the Present Administration had paid considerable attention to five strategic pillars for NSHDP II with focus on five priorities, namely: provide the enabling environment for the attainment of sector outcome, Increase the utilization of Essential package of health care services, and protect health emergencies and risk, among others.
He appealed to Nigerian Neurosurgeons in the diaspora to join their counterparts in the country and the Government towards the great task of National Development.
Mr. President commended Development Partners, CSOs, NGOs and the private sector for the continuous support to the Federal Government of Nigeria, adding that his Administration would remain accountable for every support made to improve the health and wellbeing of our citizens.
In his remarks, the President of CAANS, Prof. Abderrahmane Sidi Said, said that Neurosurgeons from all parts of Africa were committed towards working together to meet the important needs of Neurosurgery in the region including populations in Sub- Saharan Africa.
He also said that ‘’ in recent years, we are particularly pleased to see the dynamism, willingness and enthusiasm of young African doctors for neurosurgery within CAANS’’.