- He stressed that a comprehensive approach is essential to tackle the challenges plaguing the nation’s health system
Amos Magaji, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Health, emphasized the urgent need to declare a health sector emergency to better address the needs of Nigerians.
He stressed that a comprehensive approach is essential to tackle the challenges plaguing the nation’s health system.
During an oversight visit to the Federal Teaching Hospital Ido Ekiti, Magaji highlighted the necessity of immediate action to revitalize the sector.
He spoke alongside Prof. Adekunle Ajayi, the Chief Medical Director, who identified various obstacles, including high power costs, inadequate water supply, poor access roads, ecological issues, staffing uncertainties, and the pressing need for facility upgrades.
The House Committee inspected critical facilities such as the Isolation Ward, new Hispathology building, Accident and Emergency Ward, Assisted Reproductive Technology building, 150-bedded building, Molecular Laboratory, and Physiotherapy Building. Magaji also pointed out the inadequacy of the annual health budget allocated by the Federal Government, stating that the current funding falls far short of effectively meeting the demands of hospitals and patients, considering the country’s population.
He said, “The National Assembly, going forward, will be pushing for a state of emergency to be declared on Health because where we are now as a nation, it is not possible that health will be funded by the budget.
“We have gone around many health institutions and the problems are the same, lack of equipment, the manpower is a problem, equipment is a problem, the infrastructure in health institutions is also massively inadequate and of course very critical, the issue of power is killing the health institutions,” he said.
As part of efforts to resolve issues in the sector, Magaji said that the committee would invite the national leadership of all health unions to a meeting and all relevant MDAs over the issue of non-payment of some of the arrears, bonuses, and salaries of some health workers.