Physicians want specialised healthcare in West African sub-region

The Nigeria chapter of the West African College of Physicians (NACP) yesterday called for the provision of specialised services for the people of the West African sub-region through stronger healthcare delivery system.

It, however, decried priority issues in healthcare delivery system, saying that to achieve health for all in 2020, there was the need to strengthen the system. National Chairman of NACP, Dr. Abel Nze Onunu, noted that the body, which was formally inaugurated in Lagos in 1976 as an agency of the West African Health Community (WAHC) is now known as the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) and functions under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

He said that with six faculties in the College’s Community Health, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, WAHC is the apex organization for training specialist physicians in West Africa.

Onunu, who made this known in Asaba at its 41st Annual General Scientific Meeting (AGSM), commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his contributions towards the successful hosting of this year’s AGSM.

His words: “One of the traditions of our AGSM is to have a specific focus for each year and this has proved to be an invaluable forum for yearly reviews of activities of the college, exchange of innovative concepts in health services and research findings.

“The theme of this year’s conference: “Universal Access to Health, A Basic Necessity for Attainment of the SDG’s,” focuses on building sustainable healthcare leadership and quality healthcare.”

Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee and former Chief Medical Director (CMD) Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Asaba, Dr. Leo Erhunmwunse said last year, Delta State was given the task of hosting the 2017 AGSM of the WACP, adding that the journey was challenging, especially in a recession.

He appreciated the assistance rendered by the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Asaba, Dr. Victor Osiatuma, saying that his contributions in facilitating the conference, was commendable.

Governor Okowa, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge, said the healthcare sector cannot be over looked, adding that the state government had in the last two years confronted several challenges in the health sector.