Why We Must Take Quantum Leap In Healthcare

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*VP flags off free nationwide Integrated Medical Outreach Programme in FCT; 409 LGAs to benefit in first round

*Urges Nigerians to continue to observe hygiene advisories on coronavirus

President Buhari’s vision of taking 10 million Nigerians out poverty every year for the next ten years is on course and will be largely actualized by the quantum leap in our human capacity development attainments especially healthcare, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Monday at the flag off of the nationwide Integrated Medical Outreach Programme (I-MOP), at the Bwari Area Council Primary Health Centre, FCT.

According to the Vice President, “Mr. President has repeatedly asserted that his vision of taking ten million Nigerians out of poverty every year for the next ten years depends so clearly on the quantum leap that we must make in our human capacity development attainments especially healthcare. This is why this integrated Medical Outreach Programme is a crucial feature of our overall human capacity development effort.”

Speaking on the significance of the programmes especially in impacting the population in the rural parts of the country, Prof. Osinbajo said “…despite our best efforts, there is a significant gap in bringing public health services to vulnerable populations especially in the rural, mountainous, riverine, peri-urban and other difficult to reach areas in the country.”

“So this attempt to take basic healthcare services, health education, basic surgeries and screening for diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, tuberculosis, HIV – AIDS and cancer to these under-served and difficult to reach areas is an eminently sensible and practical plan.

“Not only does it provide free health services to communities that had never in the past enjoyed these sorts of services, but it also provides our public health institutions with invaluable disease identification opportunities and outreach lessons.

“So today, here in Bwari, we will flag-off the conduct of the first round of the Integrated Medical Outreach Programme (I-MOP) for the unreached, under-served and vulnerable communities in 409 selected LGAs in the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory.

“The I-MOP intervention is aimed at strengthening and scaling up access to routine immunization and other primary healthcare (PHC) services in selected low performing LGAs,” he said.

On the efforts made by the Buhari administration in containing some vaccine-preventable diseases, the Vice President said “in a few months Nigeria and indeed the African continent will be formally declared polio-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO)”.

According to him, “Our routine immunization programme has also improved from 33% in 2016 to 50% as measured in the 2018 National Demographic Health survey.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria maintains a policy to provide immunization services free to all against all vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs).”

Continuing on the I-MOP project and other efforts by the Federal Government in collaboration with other stakeholders in improving the country’s healthcare system, Prof. Osinbajo called on Nigerians including all residents of selected communities to take advantage of the programme.

He said “Nigerians and all other nationals residing within the country are really encouraged to take their children especially those under two years to the nearest health facilities for screening and administration of all due antigens.

“All others age groups are also encouraged to visit designated medical outreach centers, and we have one per senatorial district during the five (5) days (23rd to 27th March, 20th – 24th April, and 1st – 5th June 2020) of the I-MOP implementation for basic general medical and even surgical consultations/operations.

“The Federal Government is fully responsible for providing the required immunization vaccines in collaboration with our global partners to ensure consistent and sustainable availability of life-saving vaccines for all eligible children in Nigeria.”

He added that “we would ensure in the next couple of months, that Rotavirus and Human Papillomavirus vaccines are introduced into the national immunization schedule to prevent childhood diarrhoea diseases and reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in women.

“It is the firm commitment of the Federal government that no child or individual should be without access to life-saving vaccines and primary health care services.”

Speaking on the efforts so far taken by the Federal Government to contain the Coronavirus pandemic, Prof. Osinbajo said the threat to Nigeria was not yet over hence the need for Nigerians to continue to observe hygiene advisories.

He said “…the threat is not over and as you know only a few days ago Mr. President directed that a readiness review be undertaken covering both the economy and healthcare services and that report has been submitted to him. We are also examining the readiness of our healthcare facilities for whatever eventualities may arise.”

Earlier in their separate remarks, the representative of the Senate President, Sen. Chukwuma Utazi; the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; and the FCT Minister of State, Hajiya Ramatu Tijjani, commended the support and leadership provided by both President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo in improving Nigeria’s healthcare system in the past few years.

Other dignitaries present at the event include the Senator representing FCT at the National Assembly, Sen. Philip Aduda and the Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib, the representative of the World Health Organisation, amongst others.