Association of medical doctors under the employ of Lagos State Government, popularly known as Medical Guild, has developed an 11-point health agenda for the state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The Guild in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman and Secretary,Dr Babajide Saheed and Dr Opeyemi Aiyegbo respectively, called on the governor to focus on the development of the health sector, which the guild said was part of his administration’s six rules of development,captured by the acronym “THEMES”.
The six rules of development according to the guild include; Traffic Management and Transport; Health and Environment; Education and Technology.
Others are Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy; Entertainment and Tourism and Security and Governance.
The guild told the governor that the health sector was an important sector in the socio- economic development of the state, urging him to make the provision of affordable, accessible and qualitative healthcare to Lagosians a primary importance of his administration as it was critical to the attainment of a developed society.
Chairman of the guild, Dr Babajide Saheed in the statement issued recently, said the governor could develop the state health sector by embracing the agenda with employment of more health workers toping the list.
Saheed said replacement of staff who left the system and recruitment of more health workers were necessary to meet the healthcare needs of the increasing population of Lagos.
“We believe this should be a continuous process.
” Focusing on infrastructural development in the health sector with the provision of standard and well equipped primary, secondary and tertiary health institutions in the state. This will enable the provision of qualitative health care which will meet the international standards.
“Increment in the retirement age of medical doctors from 60years to 65years, with cessation of contract appointments, to allow experienced hands to continue to provide useful service, thus enhancing quality of healthcare”, he said.
“Appointment of medical doctors as permanent secretaries at Lagos State Health agencies in accordance with the Lagos State Health Reform Law of 2006 for effective and comprehensive administration in the health sector”, he
said
The guild Chairman also asked Sanwo- Olu to convoke a Lagos State Health Summit to deliberate on issues affecting health sector in the state, in relation to; human resources, professional activities, infrastructural development, and administrative issues among the agencies in the sector .
This , according to him, would bring synergy among these agencies, and further enhance healthcare delivery.
Saheed enjoined the governor to also make the provision of welfare packages to the health workers a priority, stressing that good welfare package would encourage and increase the efficiency
of the health workers in the provision of services to the
populace.
He further said: “All state primary health centres should have doctors. This will reduce pressure on the secondary and tertiary institutions, which is a major step towards the achievement of Universal Health
Coverage.
Renovation of the Cardiac and Renal centres in Gbagada General Hospital with modern equipment and staffing with indigenous health workers to reduce medical tourism and discourage/ reduce brain drain of health workers to other countries.
” Reduction in political interference in the delivery of healthcare, by allowing the health specialists or experts to make health sector policies for the state.
“Review of the newly inaugurated Lagos State Health Scheme in order to provide equitable, accessible, affordable and qualitative health care delivery
with universal coverage.”
