Senate Leader charges NASS members to invest in health sector

The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has charged members of the National Assembly to make huge investments in the health sector to complement state governments’ giant strides in boosting access to quality healthcare by Nigerians.

The Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District at the Senate, urged his colleagues to focus attention on the development of the health sector so as to reduce the spiralling indexes of mortality and morbidity rates in the country.

Bamidele gave the charge in Efon Alaaye Ekiti, Efon Local Government Area of Ekiti State, during the commencement of the 11-day Second Phase of his Free Medical Outreach across the five local governments in Ekiti Central Senatorial District.

Bamidele, who was represented by his Senior Legislative Assistant, Hon. Gbenga Banji, at the event disclosed that a total of 6,600 constituents benefitted from the first phase of the programme, where beneficiaries were treated free for diseases like: hypertension, diabetes, hepatitis, hernia, among other killer diseases.

Bamidele who remarked that no Nigerian is worth losing his life because of any treatable disease, said this makes it imperative for leaders and other stakeholders to take proactive action to fortify government’s health facilities in the country.

He lauded the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for equipping the primary, secondary and tertiary health institutions in the state with modern facilities and proficient personnel to achieve the concept of Universal Health Coverage.

According to him, the second phase of the programme was conceptualised following pressing demands from his constituents, who could not benefit from the first phase.

“It has always been my belief that no Nigerian must die because of any treatable disease, but we got disappointed oftentimes as most citizens use to lose their lives because of diseases that can be treated so easily.

“But accessibility to quality healthcare service is very essential, and this can be limited by economic, financial and lack of facilities.

“That is why all stakeholders, particularly my colleagues from the National Assembly must focus attention on how to increase access to healthcare in terms of funding, by poor masses.

“It is not something that was heartwarming that the Life Expectancy of an average Nigerian is still pegged at 55.44 years. No effort should be spared to increase it, so that our people can live healthy lives and reap the fruits of their labour.

“The rate at which people slump and die because of high blood pressure and other cardiac diseases is alarming. That was why I conceived this medical outreach to offer free treatments and expose our people to routine healthcare tips that can safeguard their lives”.

The federal lawmaker appealed to the residents of the Senatorial District to avail themselves of the opportunity to get disentangled from diseases constituting threats to their lives by visiting the designated centres to meet the experts on grounds to offer free services to them.

In his remarks, the Alahun of Ahun Ekiti, in Efon Local Government Area, Oba Jacob Adelowo, commended Senator Bamidele for the programme. He described the gesture as landmark and capable of checking untimely deaths among rural dwellers.

The monarch said the health intervention service will help the poor overcome some of their medical challenges that had impeded them from contributing to community and economic growth, thereby increasing poverty index in the state.

Oba Adelowo added that the programme represents one of the best ways to give the masses the deserved dividends of democracy, rather than the cosmetic approaches being offered by some leaders.

“To me, Senator Bamidele remains a good representative of the people. He hasn’t disappointed us. This is one of the best ways to serve the populace. Health is wealth. Whoever helps in giving you good health has given you life. I appreciate his love for Ekiti State, especially for the poor masses.”