Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012—31
Make health care services affordable to Nigerians, FG told Continued from Page 30 ment could take the lead in various healthcare initiatives that could be driven by the private sector for the benefit of Nigerians. Chief Executive Officer, Global Resources and Projects, organisers of WAH 2012, Dr. Wale Alabi, said the future of healthcare development in Nigeria lies in the hands of the plethora of stakeholders, represented at the event. Speaking on the theme: “Financing Healthcare Delivery in West Africa: Challenges and Opportunities,” Alabi described it as a reminder of the need for concerted efforts in the struggle for the development of the health sector . In his submission, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, noted that the link between health and development has not been fully appreciated in most parts of the country. “Better understanding of that link could help foster a broad consensus on increased health investments and the effective delivery of health services, especially for the indigent,” Idris added. Idris affirmed that economic constraints as well as competing demands have limited the amount of funds required to ensure universal coverage of necessary health interventions. “User charges for health care in the public sector are common and this can translate to significant out-of-pocket spending at the time of care or illness.”
Idris said the performance of a health system is determined to a large extent by the effectiveness of its healthcare financing policy adding that any effective health financing structure must be tied to adequate resource mobilisation for health, efficient risk pooling mechanisms and strategic purchasing of services. A good health financing strategy should cover revenue generation and collection, revenue pooling and risk management as well as a regulatory framework. On his part, the President, Association of General Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, AGPMPN, Dr. Anthony Omolala, posited that without proper financing the country will shut its door against a greater proportion of the over 150 million people currently resident in the country from good healthcare. President, Guild of Medical Directors, Nigeria, Dr. Charles Cudjoe, said, “From the president to minister and members of the private sector, it has become exigent to view how private sectors can be involved in healthcare by building world class hospitals.” Cudjoe said the country must device means of making healthcare accessible to majority of the people at affordable costs, while also asking that the senate heed the Abuja declaration they entered to raise budget for health to at least 15 per cent.
•Neimeth’s Finance Director, Mr. Chris Mmeje presenting a return ticket, to China to Mr Okechukwu Dike of Skob Global Investments, Lagos, one of the winners of the pharmaceitical company’s “ncp 2012 Season 2 promo.”
Scientists sequence genome of malaria - causing parasite Continued from Page 30 This ability for worldwide travel raises concerns among the researchers. There is no vaccine and there is only one drug that kills the parasite in the liver. “If drug resistance arises, with modern travel, how long would it be before the resistance is spread over the world?” Zimmerman said. “This data suggests it could quickly become a big problem.” They further explained that the finding also provided the malaria research community with more than 80,000 genetic markers that can now be used for trait mapping or population monitor-
ing, describing it as a critical step to understand the biology of the parasite that cannot be studied in the laboratory yet affects millions of people each year. The 80,000 genetic markers identified can now be used to search for links to drug-resistant malaria, a growing problem in some part of the world including Nigeria. The researchers, includes; Cleveland-based David Serre and Peter Zimmerman, Didier Menard, Institute Pasteur-Cambodia, and Arsene Ratsimbasoa, Madagascar National Malaria Control Program.
Why NEMA is inefficient in disaster management — Sani-Sidi
• Serikin Hausawa of Idi-Araba, Alhaji Idris Lawal Haruna, Baale of Idi-Araba, Chief Daud Kareem Ojeromi, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Haruna Lawal and the Country Manager, Pfizer, NEAR, Enrico Liggeri, during the Health talk/free screening on cardiovascular and hypertension to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of LUTH held at Idi-Araba Motor- park, Surulere, Lagos.
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BY CHARITY UGWUANYI
ACK of efficiency on the part of agencies collaborating with the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA in managing disaster has been identified to be a major reason why the agency has been inactive in disaster management. This was made known by the Director-General of NEMA, fairs and CommuniA l h a j i cation, Pfizer NEAR, Muhammad Mrs. Margaret Olele, Sani Sidi in a noted that “It is ausspeech prepicious that LUTH sented at the and Pfizer are colAugust Ordilaborating to give nary General back to the commuMeeting of nity as each celthe Associaebrates their 50th and tion of Resi55th Anniversary redent Doctors, spectively. Lagos UniIn his views, Dr. v e r s i t y K.A Odeyemi, Te a c h i n g LUTH’s Head of DeHospital, partment Community L U T H , Health, added that Chapter. Sidi the institution will who was replook forward to future resented by initiatives as these M r . remain one gateway Benjamin to health care access. Okehnna,
Volunteerism: PFIZER partners LUTH @ 50 BY SOLA OGUNDIPE
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S part of the activi ties to mark Pfizer NEAR’s 55th anniversary in Nigeria, Pfizer is partnering with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LUTH on their 50th Anniversary celebration by providing over 75-hour volunteer medical services to the indigent of idi -Araba community where the hospital is situated. The event began with a 10-minute walk to the venue by Pfizer staff, health workers, nurses and medical doctors from major units of the hospi-
tal including the Head of Department , Community health, Chairman Medical Advisory Committee and the Director of Administration, from the hospital. At the venue, the over 300 members of the community gathered and activities included awareness of adverse health conditions within the environs, and the provision of free cardiovascular health screenings by Pfizer. The overall objective was to educate the community on the need to know their blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol and sugar levels and
to commence early treatment in order to ensure that they remained healthy. Commenting on the partnership, Pfizer ’s Country Manager Nigeria, East Africa Region, NEAR, Enrico Liggeri said: “Pfizer is committed to increasing access to healthcare in communities where we exist. “Through innovative partnerships with health institutions like LUTH we can ensure the long term viability and sustainability of healthier lifestyles of Nigerians and their communities.” Associate Director Public Af-
said “disaster management is multisectoral and multidisciplinary and can be properly managed through collaboration with other agencies such as the police, health departments. Speaking on the challenges faced by NEMA, he said most states do not even have required equipments, such as, ambulance, fire extinguisher amongst others, for disaster management. He called for manpower capacity building at all levels of government. Consultant Traumatologist and Head of Department Accident and Emergency Department, LUTH, Dr. Kunle Badmus also identified the best ways to prevent disaster is through education and proper legislation. “Anybody can respond to disaster including the community in which it occurred and organizations within, government agencies, private sectors, fire services and so on”.He however urged communities to be contribute in managing disasters as it is multisectoral. President of the Association, Dr. Adetunji Adenekan and the Chairman, organising committee, Dr. K.S. Okunade, in their speeches, identified major human and natural disasters presently posing a threat to include the Boko Haram insurgence in the North, incessant kidnapping in the South, the Dana air crash in Lagos and Adamawa and Ibadan floods.