The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate has expressed great concern over the multifarious challenges bedeviling the health sector in the country.
He made the complaint at the opening ceremony of the13th Biennial Delegates Meeting and Scientific Conference of Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association held in Kano on Thursday.
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The minister who was represented by the Chief Medical Director of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Prof. Abdurrahman Sheshe listed some of the problems facing the health sector in the country that include poor funding, brain drain, lack of facilities, obsolete equipment, lack of enough workers and facilities especially in the rural areas.
According to him, the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was working hard to change ugly situation in order to strengthen the health sector.
“All these problems are part of what the current administration is working to change in order to enhance the health sector,” Prof. Ali Pate said.
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According to him, these problems have caused a lot of problems that have to do with maternal and child mortality in the country.
The Minister expressed the readiness and willingness of the the government to work hand in hand with all those that are willing to contribute towards resolving these problems especially the MDCAN, saying his doors will always remain open for useful advises and suggestions.
In his address, the President of MDCAN, Prof. Victor Makanjuola called for immediate solution to the current trend of exodus of consultants from Nigeria to other countries in search of greener pastures.
“The need to have frank discussion and innovate speedily to address these challenges cannot be over emphasised.
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“The theme of this year’s conference: Medical Education in Nigeria at Cross Roads: Challenges of undergraduate and Postgraduate Medical Education and Way Forward is extremely important and timely,” he said.
He said the conference was aimed at x-raying new development in the profession, review existing practices and showcase innovations by colleagues in the health and medical education industry.
