Former Minister for Health, Mr. Fidelis Nwankwo, has urged government various levels to focus on primary healthcare and education, stressing that it is the pathway to a better Nigeria.

He decried the declining socio-economic well-being of the citizens, pointing out that healthcare and education are powerful instruments for building a productive citizenry.

Nwankwo, who is also a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant for next year’s gubernatorial election in Ebonyi State, recalled that although Nigeria was able to pull through during the Ebola crisis, the COVID -19 pandemic showed that healthcare remains a priority.

Speaking on the issues of disease surveillance in the country and epidemic control, Nwankwo stated: “By and large, I think the Ebola era was a different kind of thing, because it was not universal so to say.

“But, it was restricted in certain regions in the country and I think Nigeria did very well in combating it, then came COVID. Overall, speaking generally, I think we have not fared badly even though sometimes you get confused about what is actually the policy stand of the country as regards preventive measures.”