By correspondent in Lokoja.
Dr.Omede Idris.
The Deputy Governorship candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the forthcoming election in Kogi State, Dr Omede Idris has reiterated the commitment of his party to revamping primary healthcare when elected.
He stated this at the palace of Achadu Attah, Ali Atama in Idah.
According to Dr. Idris Omede, the health sector would receive deserved attention when the party assumed leadership in the state.
Omede, a former National President of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) said primary healthcare would be devoid of unnecessary bottlenecks as officers would be from the immediate communities.
He added that the team would review all the structural requirements and revamp the moribund ones by equipping the local health centres and staffing them with qualified and experienced medical professionals, especially those in the rural areas for effective results.
The former Commissioner for Health noted that Kogi is one of the lucky states that was captured by the World Bank for collaboration in the past but bemoaned the neglect the health sector has suffered in the past 7 years.
“Virtually all the health facilities are left in the state of decay and moribund, the first class equipments were left in shambles with none in good state to serve the purpose that it was installed,” he said.
“You can only get the best from the workers when the facilities are in good condition and the staff were rewarded through prompt payments of their remuneration.”
He pledged the commitment of the ADC administration to prompt payment of counterpart funds to draw down the facilities from donor agencies.
“Our team shall provide purposeful leadership to all the health care needs in the state. Just as we shall give priority to primary health care, so would the secondary health department receive our full attention.
“Apart from these two critical sectors, we would embark on periodic community free health care as was the practice during my days as Commissioner of Health in the state. The health of our people should not be hamstrung because of the delay in meeting the other needs of the government. Every person deserves top-notch attention irrespective of age or class.
“We shall restore the lost glory of the health sector without lowering the standards of other services to our people, especially in the rural areas,” he said.
Responding, the Achadu Attah eulogized the duo of Elder Leke Abejide and Dr Omede Idris as a team the state required at this critical point in the life of the state.
He, however, enjoined them to focus more on issue-based campaigns devoid of unnecessary sentiments and other derogatory sentiments.
Achadu Attah called on the candidates to give priority to the public needs rather than embarking on white elephant projects that have no bearing to the needs of the people, especially in the rural communities.
He prayed for their success in the forthcoming poll.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
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