Kogi State Central Reference Hospital, Okene and other efforts by the State Government towards improving its health facilities would end issues of Medical Tourism bedeviling the country very soon.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Mukadam Asiwaju Asiru Idris, gave the indication at the Opening remarks as the Chairman at the Opening Ceremony/ Scientific Session of the Year 2021 Annual General Meeting Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kogi State Chapter.
Asiwaju Asiru Idris who was represented at the meeting by the Commissioner for Rural Development, Daniel Oneil Ejigbo, expressed optimism that with the issues of Medical Tourism becoming a source of concern and a challenge to the country,
said the efforts by the State Government to improve health Institutions in the State would end the medical challenge and its negative impact.
The Commissioner expressed optimism with the State of facilities that would be in place at the Reference Hospital at Okene, assured that when completed, the issues of Medical Tourism would be a thing of the past in Nigeria.
The Conference Theme: The Deteriorating Security Situation In Nigeria: Implications For Health Care Delivery, the Commissioner disclosed is apt and coming at a better time, but expressed satisfaction that the present administration under the leadership of Gov. Yahaya Bello, has made the state the most safest place to live in.
Asiwaju Idris assured medical personnel and other citizens working and living in the State of the highest level of security already in place that is geared towards safety of lives and properties.
He assured that the Government of Gov. Yahaya Bello would continue to put in place the enabling environment that would enable Medical Personnel perform their duties effectively, described the security situation in the State, rated as the most secured State in the country, as one made possible by the Pro-activeness of Gov. Bello.
In a remarks, Dr. Omakoji Simeon Oyiguh, Kogi State Chairman of NMA, said the Conference Theme is occasion by the fact that measures needs to be put in place to help protect the lives of Medical Personnel in view of the growing insecurity in Nigeria and increased kidnapping of medical doctors in the State.
The State NMA Chairman described Medical Doctors as vulnerable to being attacked, Kidnapped as has been the recent developments in the country, urged them to begin to show interest in Community Policing efforts of government, particularly by providing actionably intelligence.
Similarly, Prof. Mike Ogrima, one time NMA National President, said the time for all hands to be on deck to check insecurity against medical Doctors is now, described the situation coming with the advent of Covid19 as a dangerous trends that must be checked.
In his presentation, Deputy Director Operations and Intelligence of the DSS,
Mr. C.U.Ahanatu, calls for collectively working together, said the time for medical Doctors to be conscious of their security situation and report same to security agencies has become apt.
He described Kogi State as having the least issues related to insecurity in the country within the last few years, however said the time to work together by all and sundry towards checking the few cases of noticed insecurity bedeviling the country and State has become apt.