From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have proposed to offer free surgery, eye examinations, and other medical interventions to FCT residents as part of activities to mark the 2024 Health Week with the theme “Safeguarding the Nigerian Healthcare System”.
President, FCT Chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD-FCTA), Dr. Rahman Olayinka disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja, to herald the week-long event.
He explained that the surgical and medical outreach programmes will take place in Asokoro, Kwali, Bwari and environs, and will be done in collaboration with Lado Development Foundation, a non-profit organization which specializes in mitigating financial assistance to the under-privilege populace on matters of basic health and educational needs in the society.
“We are also in collaboration with the FCT Insurance Scheme to give those that attend the outreach free insurance for a year, and the medical check would be done by the Department of Public Health, FCT,” he added.
He said that aside the community medical outreach, the event will provide the opportunity for the stakeholders, medical experts and partners, to discuss the challenges affecting the health care system in Nigeria vis-a-vis the 2030 global target for Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“In addition to that, we would also discuss the impact of the abduction of medical doctors on the healthcare services, as well as what constitutes medical negligence and what to do when caught in the web.
“These are topical issues, considering the current realities in the country. There is a need to review the steps to improve our healthcare systems to an appreciable standard that aligns with the WHO guideline,” he said.
He added that the event will also be used to highlight the need to improve the working conditions of health workers to reduce their growing interest in foreign practice.
In addition to that, he registered the concerns of the doctors that Nigeria might not achieve the 2030 UHC global target if urgent actions and realistic measures are not taken by the federal and state governments.
The doctors, however, appreciated the FCT Administration and the Minster of FCT, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, for their commitment to the welfare of the doctors.
