The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has advised the federal and state governments to speed up implementation of the mandatory health insurance uptake for citizens.

“We will not fail to continue to remind the government that they must not rest till all Nigerians are not exposed to the risk of financial hardship while paying for their healthcare needs,” Baba Issa, the NMA chairman in Kwara, said during a news conference in Ilorin.

Mr Issa, who was represented by Adedayo Aderibigbe, the association’s deputy chairman, said the scheme’s implementation would ensure access to quality health services at all tiers of government as was recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara for supporting doctors working in the state.

Mr Issa explained that the governor had supported the association sports centre and the 2021 outreach and approved the recruitment of some medical doctors and other health workers to replace the dwindling numbers of health personnel in the state.

“We want to appreciate him and urge him not to relent in his desire to ensure that health becomes a priority in the legacies of his administration,” he said.

He commended doctors across Nigeria for their doggedness and bravery in their work, despite challenges. 

(NAN)