The Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Services, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, has attributed, poor financing, brain drain, obsolete equipment and lack of facilities as part of the problems bedevilled the healthcare sector in the country.
Making this known on Thursday while speaking on behalf of the Minister, the Chief Medical Director of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Prof Abdurrahman Sheshe, while delivering an address at the 13th Biennial Delegates Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) holding in Kano.
The theme, titled ‘, Medical Education in Nigeria at a Crossroads, Challenges of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Medical Education and Way Forward’, Prof. Pate, then called on the medical practitioners to stand by the government as it cannot do it alone without them.
According to him,” I recognise the fact that there are problems facing the medical sector in the country that include poor funding, brain drain, lack of facilities, obsolete equipments, lack enough workers and facilities especially in the rural areas”
“All these are part of what the current administration is working to change to enhance the health sector.
He hinted, “The situation has caused many problems that have to do with maternal mortality and various others.
“The government is going to work hand-in-hand with all those that are willing to contribute towards resolving these problems especially the MDCAN, to who my doors will always remain open for advises and suggestions,” the Health Minister stated.
While declaring the events opened, the Kano state Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Labaran Yusuf Abubakar, expressed goodwill to MDCAN and promised to cooperate with the medical personnel and also implement the policies that will benefit the grassroots.
The immediate past President of the National Postgraduates Medical College, Prof Musa Muhammad, who delivered a lecture titled Challenges and Way Forward, called for the need to do the right thing for the sector. He decried the poor quality of personnel produced due to lack of manpower.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President of MDCAN, Dr Victor Makanjuola, described the theme as extremely important and timely.
“Medical education, just as clinical service delivery is taking a big hit from the exodus of Consultants from the country for ‘greener’ pastures.”
“The need to have frank discussion and innovate speedily to address these challenges cannot be over emphasized” the MDCAN President stated.
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