Nigerians task FG on healthcare Seek better living standards

[MrVan]

By CHARITY UGWUANYI

"Health is the greatest of all possessions; a pale cobbler is better than a sick king". This quotation by Isaac Bickerstaff goes a long way in asserting the importance of good health to mankind. It is also a cliché that health is wealth. The importance of health in our national life cannot be overrated. Health, just as other critical issues of life, has posed big challenges to man ever since the striking need to maintain good health arose.

From this need, so many efforts have been put in place by government as well as non-governmental organisations to ensure  the health of the people is highly promoted. One such effort is the distribution of Insecticide-treated mosquito Nets  to malaria-endemic countries by the United Nation Education Fund since the beginning of 2004 till date.

But are these efforts  enough to promote the health of the people? Does government have roles to play in improving the health of Nigerians? If yes, what should be done to improve the health of the people? To provide answers to these questions, Health & Living  went on the streets of Lagos  to feel the pulse of the general public on expectations of the Federal government to promote the health of the people. below are Excerpts:

* Nigerians obtaining free healthcare services during a medical mission exercise recently. Photo courtesy Ekiti State government. Magaret Ojiakor, a 48-year-old midwife at Ajeromi Health Centre, who resides at  Ajangbadi thinks the Federal government is doing its bestto promote the people's health.  "For instance, several registered midwives have been posted to various health centers in the country of which I am a typical example.

I was posted here through the  efforts of the Federal government to reduce maternal mortality in our country. But it would be nice if they could  address the problem of blood transfusion and make it free and accessible to every patient especially the less privileged."

Frank, a computer engineer blames the poor government policies on health on embezzlement of public funds. "Nigeiran government  has plans on health such as the National Integrated Health Care. If they should support this programme and ensure everyone is registered and if they provide free medical care, I think our health will be better."

Ann Ozoemenam, a civil servant in her thirties thinks the first step is for government to  provide free medical care to citizens. "Good treatment should be obtainable in medical centres. This is because the economy is too high now and most people find it hard to afford three square meals in a day not to talk of affording hospital bills. Government should also reduce cost of food and provide employment for the youths."

In his own contribution, Azulobi Osita, and engineer wants  government to build more hospitals and equip them adequately. "They should  provide free health care for certain age groups," he argues.

Ezugwu Ernest, 23, a student at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, urges government at the top, to  put more efforts in executing NAFDAC policies to ensure the distribution of fake drugs is totally eradicated. "They should also increase the salary of health workers and ensure regular payment to stop them going on strike."

As for Gabriella, a 19-year-old undergraduate at the University of Lagos, her opinion is that government should improve on medical facilities, educate the youths and those in the rural areas about preventive health.

Ogbonna, a school teacher said government should provide jobs for its citizens. "Without job, one cannot even take care of his family and their health. They should also do something about our medical centres."

Janet Ezugwu, a 51-year-old trader wants the heath centres to be better funded and stocked with good drugs that are accessible to  patients. "Sometimes when we go to health centres, they keep telling us to come today and tomorrow. They should also equip the hospitals with trained health workers," she noted.

Emmanuel, a script writer and entertainer believes strongly that government should do something to improve the drainage system to ensure environmental sanitation.

A female teacher, Mrs. Ezenwonye, only admonishes the government to  endeavour  to revive the image of public hospitals, while  Harrison, an engineer, charged government to provide adequate medical facilities in the hospitals, and also  regulate distribution of drugs and eradicate fake drugs.

Vanguard Nigeria