The Chief Medical Director of the Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti Multi-System Hospital, Dr. Kolawole Ogundipe, has called on citizens to demand from authorities the need to ensure a healthier environment as a fundamental human right.
He emphasized that citizens must not only demand increases in salaries and other emoluments but also advocate for an environment where their health is guaranteed to fully enjoy the benefits of democracy provided by the government.
Speaking during an event marking this year’s World Health Day in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, with the theme ‘My Health, My Right’, in partnership with the leading organisation in the environment, the Triple Green Environmental Development Foundation (TGED Foundation), Dr Ogundipe noted that the government often boasts of providing medical facilities and building hospitals without paying attention to non-clinical aspects of health, which include the environment and social factors.
He commended the TGED Foundation for its efforts to sensitise citizens on the need to protect their environment to achieve a healthy life, adding that ABUAD would continue its partnership towards achieving desired results in society.
Dr. Ogundipe stated, “Everybody’s health matters. The theme of this year’s World Health Day is ‘Our Health, Our Rights’. The health of every Nigerian is their fundamental right. How long a person will live is determined by the environment they live in, including the air they breathe and the water they drink. These are things we should demand from our government.
“What we are doing here is sensitising people to demand from those in authority. We talk of deforestation, urbanisation, and improper town planning. Many of us do not have access to good water. Most of us here have to generate water by ourselves. We have heard about billions of Naira worth of water projects in Ekiti, but how many homes can access the water?
“What do we do? We individually sink boreholes, damaging our environment in the process. Everyone is left to cater for their health themselves, yet the government claims to provide health facilities and subsidise healthcare. Have they actually addressed the issues compromising people’s health?
“Clinical history includes where a patient lives, the water they consume, and waste disposal methods. Let us demand our rights: the right to good roads, good water, good town planning, and proper sewage disposal. These are the rights we should demand, not just an increase in salary or government-provided palliatives.”
Speaking, the founder of the TGED Foundation, Oluwaseyi Ebenezer, explained that this year’s theme aimed to raise awareness among stakeholders, especially the government, to provide citizens with access to quality healthcare.
“In our efforts to protect the planet and promote social equality, it’s crucial to acknowledge that access to healthcare is not just a privilege but a basic human right. Every individual deserves equitable access to quality healthcare services, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or economic status.
“Each of us has a role in promoting health and well-being, not only for ourselves but for the planet and society as a whole. Whether it’s adopting sustainable lifestyle choices, advocating for social justice, or supporting grassroots movements, our actions can contribute to positive systemic change.
“On this World Health Day, let’s recommit ourselves to a world where everyone enjoys the right to good health, in harmony with nature, and with respect for social justice. Together, we can build a healthier, more sustainable future for all,” she said.
The Lead Speaker and Technical Adviser to the Ekiti State Governor on Green Economy and Ecological Matters, Dr. Akinyemi Akinyugha, noted in his paper that people often overlook environmental issues because they do not affect them immediately, like health issues.
He remarked, “Environmental factors are as critical as health issues. A report stated that heat kills 147 people. Our people need to take environmental issues such as flooding, waste disposal, and water sanitation seriously to avoid health hazards.”
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