By Gistflash News
July 2, 2021
The Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria has pledged to ensure more people have access to quality healthcare in the country.
Mathew Ashikeni, the President of the association, said this on Friday at its 15th National Conference in Abuja.
The theme of the conference is: Universal Health Coverage (UCH) 2030 and Health Security: The role of Catholic Doctors.
Ashikeni, who said that the citizens needed quality healthcare, added that they would be given anywhere they live, work and irrespective of their social or economic status
He said that the association would ensure that the people did not suffer any financial hardship in the process.
According to him, the COVID-19 pandemic might have affected the progress towards UCH by 2030, hence, the need for government agencies concern to integrate the Catholic health institutions and other similar facilities.
This, he said, would complement each other in the provision of essential health facilities to all Nigerians.
“The Catholic health services are some of the best in the country and are widespread across the country, located in some of the best remotest parts of the country providing primary, secondary and specialist healthcare services,” he said.
According to him, there must be a deliberate effort in supporting the health institutions for synergy and the multiplier effects on the health of citizens without their suffering financial hardships.
He added that this was in consideration of the fact that out-of-pocket payment for healthcare accounts for as high as 76.6 per cent of total expenditure on health, with the poor suffering the most.
Sen Chukwuka Otase, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Primary Healthcare and Communicable Diseases, said that the major problems in the country remained primary healthcare.
He said that primary healthcare was fundamental, adding that if the country got it right, the citizenry would be better for it.
According to him, it is only the Catholic Doctors that still have their basis in the villages, they are there running the hospitals to ensure we have the UHC.
He pleaded with the Catholic Doctors to ensure that they always take the lead.
“It is always good to work our faith. If we preach and preach without a reproductive system that works for the country it will be in vain.
NAN