- Diri urged citizens to prioritize their health with regular check-ups to prevent avoidable deaths
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State expressed concern about the brain drain affecting the health sector, emphasizing the need for doctors to prioritize their commitment to saving lives.
He lamented the preventable death of Mrs. Victoria Ali, citing negligence in medical care, and highlighted efforts to enhance the state’s health sector, including reviving the diagnostic center.
The governor mentioned plans to send doctors to Germany for training on a newly acquired MRI machine and the upcoming delivery of surgery equipment that operates without knives.
Diri urged citizens to prioritize their health with regular check-ups to prevent avoidable deaths.
He said, “The death of Mrs Ali is a reminder that the brain drain syndrome in our health sector is a serious challenge that is negatively affecting our country. Doctors usually take the oath to save lives and I appeal to them to show more commitment to their duty.
“Let me advise our medical professionals. Some deaths are avoidable and this is one. At this age and time, people should not die of appendicitis.
“It is for this reason we have resuscitated the diagnostic centre. The biggest problem we have is diagnosis. I want Bayelsa to be a medical tourism hub. So we must get our acts right. As a government, we are very concerned and we must sit up.”