NMA: Nigeria’s Primary Healthcare System Dead
The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) is currently bemoaning the demise of the Primary Healthcare System in Nigeria, pointing out that it only spells danger to the healthcare delivery. The NMA has sworn to mobilise its patients during the upcoming elections to vote against electoral candidates who do not have a clear view on improving Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Dr. Innocent Ujah, the President of NMA, mentioned this at a media chat ahead of the 62nd NMA’s Annual and General Conference and Delegates Meeting holding from May 15 to 21 in Rivers State. As he spoke, Dr. Ujah mentioned that the primary health care system is near its end and added that the leaders of the country should be more strategic in reviving it.
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“We must be very strategic, the government must step up its games to rescue the Nigeria health system otherwise it is a total collapse. I have always said that the primary healthcare system is dead, I am yet to be controverted. Primary Healthcare System is dead. If you go to any primary health facility, what will you see, grains and harvested yam produce and the officers come on the last day of the month to receive their salaries. I don’t know what happens in Port Harcourt. Primary Healthcare facilities are not functioning. The buildings are there but buildings don’t make anything.”
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Dr. Ujah explained that the organisation and its members were tired of empty promises. He stated that the association would work against any candidate that does not have a clear blue print on improving the healthcare system.
“The political climate is very hot now, we are saying all politicians that are coming, the presidential aspirants that will become candidates, governorship, senate, must define clearly what roles they will play in the health sector, otherwise, we may be forced to mobilise our patients and their spouse to vote against anybody who will not take health seriously.”
According to him, some of the reasons that caused doctors to leave Nigeria included poor remuneration, insecurity, inadequate working facilities and poor welfare.
