The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has advised State governors not to build new health centres in their states but take good care of existing and functional ones
Adewole, gave the charge while speaking at the Cross River state Health Summit organised by the government of Cross River State last Friday, in Calabar.
The health minister, who spoke on the theme; Translating Health Policies and Plans Into Action said that there is no need building new healthcare facility centres, urging state governments to focus more attention on the rehabilitation and proper care of the existing ones.
.He said, “there is no need building new health care delivery centers, instead of care of existing ones ,provide human resources, clear the weeds, provide electricity, and make health centers function adequately”.
H e said the state should use the 1.5 million dollar seed for development of the health care delivery system in the country,” the Minister said and urged those charged with the responsibility of managing the funds to be careful on how the funds should be utilized as the EFCC will not relent effort in beaming its light to make those who misappropriate such funds to account for them.
Adewole warned health officials in the country not to convert funds meant for provision of health care delivery to their personal use so as not to incur the wrath of the EFCC.
Adewole said, “Nigeria is one country in the world where 70 to 80 percent of funds provided for the provision of good medical health care facility end up in the pockets of private individuals. Let me warn that the EFCC is out to look for such people.”
He stressed, “so beware, if you do not use it well you will be on your own. We will be mobilizing funds for provision of good health care programmes in the country. We are also going to mobilize funds for the provision of good health care delivery for about 8million Nigerians.”
Continuing, he noted that “we intend to commence a free test and treatment for the 4 different cancers disturbing the lives of our country men and women; that is the prostrate cancer for men, breast cancer for women and several others. It is part of the rapid result that we started last year. For as long as you are poor, we will give treatment to you. If you are not poor please don’t go there.”
H e said that the ministry of health under the watch of President Mohammadu Buhari, had concluded plans to provide free medical surgery for ten thousand Nigerians who have no money to pay for the services in the area of cancer.
Friday Nwagbara, Calabar