Abia State Governor-elect, Dr. Alex Otti, has assured that his government would carry out a positive turnaround of the health sector in the State.
He stated this when the executive members of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Abia State chapter paid him a Courtesy visit at his home in Nvosi, Isialangwa South LGA of the State.
The Governor-elect regretted that such a critical sector that dwells on human life has been badly neglected by the government, to the extent that doctors and other health workers go on strike for several months without the government feeling perturbed.
He assured them that none of their requests was unreasonable, and thus his government would act on all of them, including the call for the rebuilding of the now grounded Aba General Hospital, and recovery of Medical Equipment allegedly looted from the Hospital, insisting that those who loot government property end up shortchanging the rest of the citizens.
Dr. Otti assured that as massive as the destruction in the Abia health sector is, yet, his government would carry out a holistic, but positive turnaround of the situation, and reminded the Doctors that he dedicated a special place for the health sector in his Manifesto, because of his vision and clear understanding of the place and importance of health.
Earlier in their strong-worded speech, signed by the Chairman, Dr Isaiah Abali and the Secretary, Dr Daniel Ekeleme, the NMA disclosed that they are as elated as the overwhelming majority of Abians who are happy with the emergence of Dr. Otti as their governor, and prayed that God would bless and help him to succeed, as his success would help restore the lost glory of the now moribund Abia Health Sector, especially ABSUTH that has become a ghost of itself.
The leadership of the association who did not hide their anger on what they described as “the destruction and looting of Aba General Hospital” in the twilight of the present PDP led government, called for a decisive action to be taken by the in-coming Otti led-government to correct the provocative anomaly.
In their words “This is a hospital that predates most of the doctors in Abia State and a centre that has contributed tremendously to the health care of the Abia inhabitants and its environs. We urge your in-coming government to do your best in the restoration of this once great facility,” they submitted.
The body made a Special appeal to the Governor-Elect to come to the rescue of the doctors in the state, especially in the Abia State University Teaching Hospital Aba and those working under the Health Management Board, who are owed several months of salary arrears, a situation that has brought untold hardship on them and their families.
The NMA used the opportunity of the visit to seek the cooperation of the in-coming government to send a Bill to the State House of Assembly, making it mandatory for tricycle riders and all market stall owners to pay a statutory health insurance fee, explaining that such fees would cover such beneficiaries and some members of their respective families for a year, depending on the plan, and grant them access to good medicare from recognised health facilities in Abia State.
