Enugu Health Professionals Urge Candidates To Prioritise Health Issues

Health professionals in Enugu State have called on political party candidates for the March 11 Governorship and State Assembly elections to prioritise health issues.

They were of the view that prioritising health issues would deliver quality, accessible and affordable healthcare for all in the state notwithstanding location or economic status.

The health professionals said this during the Maiden Dialogue with Gubernatorial Front-Runners on Health Sector Agenda Setting and Consensus Building held in Enugu on Saturday.

The Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Enugu State, Dr Celestine Ugwoke, said that the purpose of the dialogue was to start early to impress it on would-be governor that the success of the health sector holds the success of other sectors.

Ugwoke, who articulated the views of other health professionals and associations, said that the dialogue was also a catch-them-young programme meant to focus the minds of candidates in building a virile and resilient health system to enhance productivity.

"We aim at having a robust interaction on ways to move the health sector of the state forward especially providing holistic healthcare to the benefit of rural dwellers and all residents in the state.

“In our interaction, the health professionals will know the political candidates blue-print on health; and get their buying-in into existing and running health system frameworks that needed to be strengthened for further positive results.”

The chairman noted that the dialogue would be continued through various means to ensure that the voices of health professionals are heard clearly and “sustainable and beneficial actions taken to put the health sector in proper footing in the state”.