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Ex-President Jonathan tasks governments on healthcare needs of Nigerians

By Ayoyinka Jegede, Uyo
13 October 2021   |   3:05 am
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has challenged governments at all levels to ensure that the healthcare needs of Nigerians meet United Nations (UN) specifications on health.

[FILES] Goodluck Jonathan. Photo: TWITTER/GEJONATHAN

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has challenged governments at all levels to ensure that the healthcare needs of Nigerians meet United Nations (UN) specifications on health.

He said the COVID-19 pandemic had opened the eyes of everyone including administrators, politicians and professionals that health-related issues should no longer be taken for granted.

Jonathan, who visited Uyo, Akwa Ibom State for the 2021 Physicians Week stated this at Ikot Ekpene Council on Governor Udom Emmanuel’s invitation to commission phase one of the 117-year old remodelled general hospital.

He lauded Emmanuel for the provision of health infrastructure, adding that health security remained paramount in national security, saying: “I thank the governor for making it possible for me to link with this hospital that has been completely renovated, redesigned and reconfigured for effective healthcare delivery.

“It is a good way to start the programme that actually brought me to partner with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in their yearly programme and it is good that we are starting the health week with the commissioning of this project to meet the health needs of the people. 

“We commend the governor because health is key. When we talk about national security, health security is prominent, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic has opened everybody’s eyes to the need to strengthen infrastructure aimed at delivering the health needs and based on UN provisions, health is a human right issue. So, we thank the governor for providing the facility.” 

Speaking, Emmanuel expressed appreciation to the former president for finding time to identify with the state, adding that the commissioning of the project was a fulfilment of his campaign promises to the people.

Emmanuel, who was represented by his deputy, Moses Ekpo, disclosed the state government committed enormous resources to upgrade the health care facilities due to the belief that security of life and property, healthy population and manpower development (education) were the three fundamental elements that determine and shape the social contract.
 
On his part, Commissioner for Health, Prof. Augustine Umoh, said the commissioning of the facility represented a milestone in the state government’s commitment to the health needs of Akwa Ibom people.

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