LCCI, Experts Urge Government To Improve Healthcare Facilities For Women

The government has been urged by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and some experts to provide improved healthcare and wellness facilities for women and also for better societal and economic outcomes.

They made the call on Tuesday in Lagos at the LCCI women group 8th annual conference, themed: 'Our Health, Our Wealth'

The experts also tasked the government on the provision of health centers with access not farther than 10 kilometers for improved emotional, mental and physical wellbeing of women in the country.

Speaking on the theme of the conference, Dr Michael Olawale-Cole, President, LCCI, said that the theme was apt in today’s world where women face more health risks due to wearisome activities.

He identified such activities to include catering for the family, particularly in the face of the current inflationary realities.

The Deputy Treasurer, LCCI, Tola Ggogboade who represented Olawale-Cole stated that Nigerian women have come a long way through peculiar challenges in the business and family fronts by remaining resilient and dogged in their quest for survival.

Olawale-Cole said that this is obvious even when placed side by side by their male counterparts.

He, therefore, described women as change agents in the drive for diversification and inclusive growth in Nigeria, adding that the government’s plan to lift 100 million people from poverty can only become a reality if women empowerment are given priority.

He urged the government at all levels to allocate more funds to healthcare delivery and other components of the human development index.

“We acknowledge and appreciate the support from special-purpose finance institutions like the Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry, and the ministries of women affairs and social development in the states.

“Today, we celebrate the increasing recognition given to women due to their unique role in poverty reduction and entrepreneurship across the globe.

“I am glad to note that women have continued to take more space in business and government and have proven to be good managers and leaders.

“Women, therefore, need to be fit and alive to continue supporting the society, business and government,” he said.

On her part, the Chairperson of the Women Group, LCCI, Oluwatoyin Idowu, said the theme of the conference was a charge to everyone with a sense of responsibility.

“The attention we give to our health is proportional to our overall wellbeing and our achievements or attainments in life,” she said.

Idowu added that a healthy life is not just being free from sicknesses and diseases but also requires focus on physical, emotional, social, spiritual and even intellectual well-being for a productive, meaningful, successful and fulfilling life.

“In the same way, neglect of any of these will certainly lead to inefficiency and poor performance and their multiplier effects, ultimately leading to sorrow and regrets of all sorts,” she said.

She, therefore, appealed to the federal and state governments to focus more on how healthcare services can be within the reach of every Nigerian regardless of where they reside – even in the remotest villages.

“If we all agree that our health is our wealth, everything possible should be done to ensure that in the least health centers are not farther than 10 kilometers to where people reside in every community.

“Besides, basic necessities of life, like water, electricity and good roads should not be lacking in a country as endowed as ours, because of their significance to peoples’ health and wellbeing.

“All of these can be provided with appropriate commitment and collaboration,” she said.

According to Modupe Elebute – Odunsi, Founder, Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and Specialist Hospital, a proper diet and exercise regime must be in place to achieve and maintain a good health

She added that minimising alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy body weight, getting enough sleep and financial and life coaches are also  determinants of a healthy lifestyle

“If the woman is not healthy, the wealth of the family declines.

“This is why it is very critical to address women and general family wellness,” she said.

The Managing Director, JSK Consulting Group, Janet Adetu also advocated the need for networking to provide the balance mental, emotional and social health needed to address loneliness, depression and other health challenges

“To engender better social, mental, emotional wellbeing, women must learn to share, develop and maintain meaningful relationship,” she said.

The Managing Director, IBFC Alliance Ltd., Obafunmilayo Agusto also tasked women to add value to their businesses to enhance a reasonable market share.

“The wellbeing of our finances means the separation of personal from business finance, even though business finance overtime be used to build personal wealth and passive income.

“Businesses must also be inflation protected and insured against all odds to protect our mental health,” he said