Experts lament dearth of quality healthcare in rural areas

Medical experts have lamented dearth of personnel and quality healthcare in the rural areas of Nigeria.

Speaking at the 10th convocation ceremony of Bartholomew College of Health Technology, Shao, Moro local government area of Kwara state at the weekend, proprietor of the college, Mr. Bartholomew Owoicho, said that many rural dwellers do not have access to
quality healthcare and personnel in Nigeria.

“In Nigeria, many rural dwellers do not have access to quality healthcare and personnel. Some of the health centres in the rural areas have closed down due to absence of facilities and health
workers.

“That is why, in the college, we are providing health workers to cater for the communities and rural dwellers. We are grateful to the Federal Government for engaging the services of some of our products”, he said.

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Bartholomew, who urged government at all levels to accord education its pride of place, said that “education needs to be given attention to meet the economic realities of our generation.

“Education in this competitive world today is not just about carrying certificate that are useful only for seeking white collar job. I am informing you today that government’s job is not the only solution to save economic problems.

“My advice to the youth of this generation and outgoing students is that not all of you will be able to work with government. You have to be job creators with your experiences. certificates and license to practice, which you are holding, qualify you as primary health care providers.

“Honestly, this is the only way through which our youth can be economically and politically liberated”, he said.

Owoicho also hailed the Kwara state government for providing conducive environment for the institution.

At the event, the college graduated 232 students in the departments of Health Technology and Pharmaceutical Technology.

A breakdown of the graduands include 68 (National Diploma), 24 Higher National Diploma (HND) from the department of pharmaceutical technology, 140 graduated as health technicians from the department of Health Technology.

He disclosed that college would produce 60 National Diploma graduates from the department of Community Health.