Economic recession affecting access to health facilities —NMA

The Cross River State Chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) says the current economic recession bedeviling the country has made it difficult for people to access health facilities.

State chairman of NMA, Dr. Effiong Nkpanam, in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune during ‘Physicians’ week’ held in Calabar, said Nigeria’s poor economy has badly affected public access to quality healthcare delivery.  The workshop was themed ‘Health care in a frail economy: challenges and way forward.’

Nkpanam said the biting economy had made it difficult for people to pay medical bills.

He, however, hoped that if the implementation of the health act currently before the National Assembly came to fruition, more money would be made available to make the system viable.

The NMA boss, however, ruled out plans by its members embarking on strike if the health act was not passed, even as he said that the union wouldcontinue to engage in dialogue with the federal government.

Speaking at the event as guest of honour, State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Inyang Asibong, said that the state government’s  insurance scheme and a state health act christened ‘Ayadecare’ was doing everything to alleviate the sufferings of people who could not afford medical bills.

“The Cross River Government led by Prof. Ben Ayade is very committed to making sure physicians are carried along in every state health issue,” Asibong said.