By Doyin Ojosipe with agency report
The Federal Government yesterday, in Abuja, raised the alarm over inadequate doctors, warning that it is dangerous for national development.
The Supervising Minister of Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan, expressed this pessimism during an interview with journalists after paying an unscheduled visit to National Hospital, Federal Staff Medical Centre and Maitama General Hospital.
Speaking on his impression of the hospitals, he said, “They still have some challenges in the area of doctors. We are going to look into how we will add more manpower to ensure that there is adequate manpower to do the job.”
According to him, the Federal government is trying to bring all the latest technology to do the latest work that is being done in the world to ensure that Nigeria gets the best of health care.
“We don’t need to go anywhere overseas. We have the professionals to do the job and we are sure that medical tourism will soon be a thing of the past because of Transformation Agenda of Mr. President,” Alhassan stated.
On the possibility of expanding National Hospital, Abuja, Alhassan said there is no adequate space for the hospital to operate.
The Minister however suggested improving the standard of healthcare being given by the management of NH.
He said, “As you can see, the hospital is in good hands. We met all the departments working the way they should be, the Doctors are on their seats, the Nurses are busy, the doctors are conducting one thing or the other. I am very pleased to see what I have seen today at the National Hospital. It is rightly bearing its name. It has shown that it is truly a National Hospital.”
The Minister also defended the absence of posters bearing the Ebola Virus Disease in the hospital’s entrance.
Alhassan said, “We want to make sure that our health workforce are always aware of Ebola. We have won the war, but as long as there is Ebola cases in the world, Nigeria remains at risk. The health workforce are the most important defenders in this country.
“Judging from the last outbreak in this country, majority were health workers. We must do everything to make sure that health workers are well informed and protected. That is why we need to create that awareness all around us.”
