…as other candidates promise to fund PHCs
Angela Onwuzoo
Lagos residents have been promised affordable, accessible and quality healthcare services in the next political dispensation.
This is coming as eight gubernatorial candidates vying for the governorship position in the state in the forthcoming general election pledged to equip all Primary Healthcare Centres in the state adequately if elected as the next governor of the state.
The candidates made the pledge while unveiling their plans for the health sector during a Gubernatorial Debate, organised by the Lagos State Branch of the Nigerian Medical Association, held at Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja
recently.
The candidates included Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi of the African Democratic Party; Mr Francis Adebayo of the Alliance for New Nigeria, and Mr Owolabi Salis of the Alliance for Democracy.
Others were Mrs Adebisi Ogunsanya of the Young Progressive Party; Dr Sam Anyamele of the United Democratic Party; Venerable Funso Awe of the National Conscience Party; Mr Oluwaseun Ajireloja of the Africa Action Congress and Dr Segun Musa of the Africa Nations Development Programme.
The governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Peoples Democratic Party counterpart , Mr Jimi Agbaje, were, however, absent at the debate.
The eight candidates present nonetheless answered questions from the moderator as well as from selected panelists made up of experienced healthcare professionals drawn from the private and public
sectors.
In her submission, Mrs Ogunsanya of the YPP, promised to make all PHCs in the state more efficient and result oriented by ensuring that they were manned by qualified doctors and nurses 24/7 if elected into office.
“ I will ensure that the doctors and nurses in our PHCs are well trained and paid, ” she said.
Also concerned about functional PHCs in the state was Anyamele of the UDP, who assured that he would increase the consolidated health fund from one per cent to five per cent. He further said he would make fund readily available to PHCs to carry out their functions effectively.
On his part, Musa of the Africa Nations Development Programme, stated that if voted into power, he would make most PHCs in the state which he described as a “mere immunisation centres”, to be functional by investing in infrastructures at these
centres.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Lagos NMA Chairman , Dr Saliu Oseni, said the debate was organised to bridge the gap in the health sector and to also provide a platform for the gubernatorial candidates to showcase what they have for the health sector and the residents of the state
if elected.
