…Says no responsible government should toy with health sector
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Abia State, Prof Greg Ibe, has expressed worry over the collapsing health sector in the state, saying that no responsible government should toy with the critical sector.
Professor Ibe who made the remarks at Ohafia at the commencement of his free medical/surgical outreach for Abia North said that no society could fulfil destiny if the people could not access quality and affordable health care.
The governorship candidate who was represented by his running mate, and member representing Aba South state constituency, Hon. Obinna Ichita, regretted that under the watch of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the Abia health sector had witnessed “continued dilapidation”.
Ibe said that the continued strike action by medical doctors at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, ABSUTH, Aba following over 25 months of salary arrears, was taking a toll on the health care delivery system of the state.
He pleaded with the Government to as a matter of urgency take steps to end the standoff with the doctors in the interest of the masses.
“We’re also living witnesses that the government is owing the health workers several months of salary arrears even as the dilapidated health centres are nothing to write home about in every aspect,” he said.
He also lamented the continued exodus of medical doctors from the state due to poor welfare.
The Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, had raised the alarm that two to three medical doctors leave Abia State for greener pastures abroad every month.
Ibe said his motive to take the free medical surgical outreach across all three senatorial zones and Local Government Areas in the state was to bring quality health care to Abians irrespective of their party affiliations.
He said that the gesture had nothing to do with his political ambition as he had been into humanitarian services through his Foundation which he floated way back in 1991.