NAGGMDP Appeals to Kogi Government to Employ More Doctors

 

By Stephen Adeleye

 The National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), Kogi branch, has appealed to State Government to employ more doctors in the state civil service for effective service delivery to residents of the state.

The state's Chairman of NAGGMDP, Dr Osaretin Okaungbowa, made the appeal during the association's ''Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2021'', in Lokoja, tagged: ''Kogi State Health System Strengthen: Where Are We?''.

He appealed to state government to employ more doctors, saying the few available ones were already over worked.

The chairman and also enjoined the government to organise leadership training for the medical officers from time to time.

He, however commended Kogi Government on the current improved health care services delivery in the state, and the approval of full COMMESS for all medical doctors under it services.

He added that the development was a positive boost to stabilise the health sector in the state, stressing the need to employ more doctors.

He noted that the association's AGM remained an annual ritual where professionals in the government medical outfits gather to brain storm on the success, challenges and way forward in the practice.

He said that the new leadership of the association in Kogi  had made significant and verifiable strides within one year in office.

He acknowledged the support and encouragement by members and the past chairmen of the association as well as the parent body Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) to the new leadership.

Dr Agbana Emmanuel, a Consultant Public Health Physician, who presented a paper on the conference theme, said Kogi is currently doing well in its health care delivery services.

Emmanuel, who is the Acting Provost College of Health Sciences, Kogi State University, Anyigba, said Kogi presently has four tertiary health facilities; three owned by the state and one by federal government.

He commended the government for embarking on expansion of existing health institutions and upgrading of Specialist Hospitals

Emmanuel stressed that the theme of 2021 Annual General Meeting, was aimed at evaluating Kogi Health System, input, process and output so far.

He disclosed that the state at the moment had 4,216 health workers of which 69 are in the category of medical officers, nine consultants and 2,012 registered nurses.

"Right now Kogi has 838 functional primary health facilities, 54 secondary health facilities and 1,144 private registered health facilities" he said.

Also speaking, Dr Aledare Adekunle, the Executive Secretary, Kogi State Health Insurance Agency (KGSHIA), also presented a paper, titled: ''Kogi State Health Insurance Scheme: The Journey So Far''.

He urged states, local governments, corporate organisations and individuals to key into the scheme in view of its importance in the health needs of the people.

''Health Insurance Scheme helps to reduce user fees, helps to share risk between insured and the insurer.

''It helps to provide financial risk protection to citizens and strengthens the health system as a major driver of Universal Health Coverage," he said.

The executive secretary noted that Health Insurance Scheme was created in Nigeria in 1999 and in Kogi State in 2019, saying it is a feat targeted at providing Social Health Insurance for all Nigerians.

He disclosed that so far his Agency had secured the accreditation of 50 Secondary Health Care facilities and 236 Primary Health Care facilities for service provision.

On his parts, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Kogi Hospital Management Board, Dr.Zakari Usman, assured that the state government would continue to accord health sector topmost priority.

The CMD thanked NAGGMDP for its efforts to support government in its task to addressing the health needs of the people.

Also speaking, the Kogi State Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Simeon Oyiguh, appealed to governments at all levels and Nigerians to be weary of the rising insecurity across the country.

He called for joint efforts in the fight against insecurity that has rendered innocent citizens killed.

Oyiguh commended the state government for its determined efforts to secure the lives of the residents and boost their health needs

The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of Awards to deserving doctors for making their marks in their professional callings.. 

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