Healthcare: Sick people pay 74 percent revenue in Nigeria – Varsity don

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro Benin

A University don has revealed that individuals pay 74 percent revenue in healthcare sector in Nigeria, stating that there should be upward review of the 4 percent annual budgetary allocation into the sector in line with economic reality.
A pathologist in University of Texas Medical branch, Galveston, United States of America, Anthony Okorodu said this while delivering the 2nd Guest lecture series of the School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin.
Okorodu spoke on the topic: “Strategies for ensuring reliable and dependable quality Clinical laboratory services in developing Countries”.
According to him, “From my own research 74 percent of healthcare in Nigeria are paid by individuals…So, you (Academia)need to rise and correct the disparity from the buttom top on what it takes to do it correctly.
“We should look at the trends in the job market and revamp our educational system and redirect them to the things that are needed.
“We must not just let them (developed Countries sell things to us, but the government need to put policies in place to build…”, he said.
Okorodudu who had worked in the University of Benin, called on policy makers in the developing countries to enact policies that would make Africa to cease to be a dumping ground for substandard manufacturing chemical and pharmaceutical equipment
The Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Faraday Orumwense in a remark, said the lecture series has gradually grown into an important feature of the University Calendar and has created another platform where value is added to the current Scientific issues in area of specialty.
Orumwense who was represented by the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Pius Iribhogbe, revealed that the lecture focuses on proffering solution to the dropping standard in the learnin and teaching profession.
The Dean, School of Basic Medical Sciences in the University, Prof. Henrietta, said the knowledge acquired from the lecture will help to standardise laboratory methods, obtaining accurate results, risk management and general service delivery.