FG tasks MDCAN on addressing challenges in health sector

The Minister of Health Professor Ali Pate has said the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, (MDCAN) has a pivotal role in changing the state of the healthcare system in the country.

The minister admitted the challenges bedeviling the sector including the abysmal state of medical practice which he said the present administration inherited, he, however, reminded that the government cannot reverse the worsening system all alone.

Professor Pate, who also serves as coordinating minister of health made the appeal at the 13th Biennial Delegates Meeting and Scientific Conference on Kano.

“The government cannot ignore the present challenges facing the medical practice in the country today, issues raging from poor financing, brain drain, inadequate health facility, obsolete equipments, inadequate health insurance coverage and many more, all these contributed to the abysmal state of health system in the country”.

The Minister however insisted that despite the predicaments, the commitment of the MDCAN and that of the present administration will reverse the ugly trend, thereby ensuring a brighter future in the sub-section

On the falling standard of medical education in Nigeria, Professor Pate who was represented by Chief Medical Director (CMD), Professor Abdulrahman Abba Sheshe, challenged the senior medical doctors to dedicate their experts towards improving both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in Nigeria.

“As consultants, we have a crucial role in shaping the future of the health care in Nigeria, and with your knowledge, experience and expertes are valuable asset that can bridge the gap between the current state of affairs and the vision of the government.

“Therefore, we urged you to continue to lend your advise to the government how to move the system forward. You may need to know that government alone cannot change the situation in the health system. Therefore it is only through your collaboration we can bring a lasting solution in the health care system.

“Government is ready to work with MDCAN to leverage our collective strength and resources to overcome the obstacles and create a sustainable healthcare system that meet the needs of all Nigerians”.

Earlier, Emir of Kano, Alh. Aminu Ado Bayero expressed worry over the mass migration of Nigerian doctors seeking greener pastures abroad, adding that doctors should be more patriotic to their father land.

Emir Bayero, represented by a senior council member in the emirate and traditional title holder of Dankadai Kano, Dr. Basheer Ibrahim, reminded that those migrating abroad will eventually end up spending the entire productive period of their careers serving mortgage and paying heavy tax. The monarch however urges government to fix the deplorable state of health system in the country.

Earlier, MDCAN President, Professor Victor Makanjuola explained the 13th Biennial Delegates Conference is anchored to address present challenges the sector including review of existing code of practice and project better future. He raised concern on mass exodus of consultants from Nigeria and urgent need by concern authorities to correct the sydrome.

The outgoing president of MDCAN stressed that the theme of the conference ‘Medical Education in Nigeria at a Crossroads: Challenges of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Medical Education and Way Forward’, was carefully selected to address the falling standard of medical education in the country.