The Chairman, Committee of Chief of Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals, Prof Thomas Agan has decried the poor level of funding of tertiary institutions in the country by the current administration.
Agan who commended the three previous administrations led by President Obasanjo, Yar’Adua and Jonathan, however, appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for improving budgetary provision to the health sector but regretted none release of funds.
“I must commend the previous regimes, especially President Obasanjo who upgraded the equipment in 14 tertiary hospitals. There was a continuation during the Yar’Adua and Jonathan’s era.
“I must appreciate the present regime of President Buhari for improving budgetary provision to the health sector” but noted, “It will be highly appreciated if this budgetary provision is implemented.”
Prof Agan who was speaking with newsmen said that though, there has been improvement in budgetary allocation to the health sector, the question is, “Is this money being released?” he queried.
“But be that as it may, more has to be done. The bottom line is the fact that we need universal health coverage where everybody-young, old, rich, poor-will have access to basic healthcare delivery.
Lamenting the none payment of allowances to outsourced workers, Prof Agan who is also the CMD of UCTH, said “These people were not being paid and there was massive looting and stealing within the system.
“In April this year, we all met in Port Harcourt to iron out the issue of outsourced services and the government came to verify the money being owed for outsourced services and we were told these monies will be paid immediately.
“As I speak to you, we do not have any clue whether the money will be paid. As at April, 2017 almost N300 million is being owed for outsourced services which is from 2012 to 2016.
“Some of these outsourced staff has taken the hospital to court as ifthe hospital is the one owing them. I feel bad that they are suffering because of the simple small money.
“We are all Nigerians and these people are dying. So if this money is paid to these people, they will come back and keep the system clean. If these people are not working, the hospital deals with what is called biological hazards infecting conditions.
“If we do not handle human parts properly, there is a high probability that the patients, staff will become infected. He said “The attitude of some of the patients is terrible. How would you imagine a patient who uses newspaper to clean up and then put it in the toilet?
“It will block it. The situation is not very friendly because of the outsourced services we had to suspend one way or the other. It is budgeted for usually under service wide votes but we have not received it even as I have sent a reminder to government on behalf of teaching hospitals in the country.”
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