As Nigeria marks Democracy Day on Thursday, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Oyo State chairman, Happy Adedapo, has urged governments to improve the budgetary allocation to the health sector.

Mr Adedapo said in Ibadan that the budgetary allocation to the health sector, both at the federal and state levels, was very poor.

“The standard is that not less than 15 per cent should be allocated to the health sector, but no government has exceeded even 10 per cent over the years,” Mr Adedapo stated.

He added, “So, there is a need for our governments to reconsider what they allocate to the health sector for a more efficient healthcare system in the country.”

The chairman advised the government to put frameworks in place that would ensure funds released reach the end users.

Mr Adedapo urged the government to pay rural allowances to doctors to motivate them, as well as equip medical practitioners with adequate equipment to work with and provide retraining.

“The government should find a way to get its institutions to generate their own electricity because facilities such as a steady power supply are necessary for hospitals,” he said.

Mr Adedapo said the Oyo State government had, to some extent, improved the primary healthcare aspect, including the enrolment of more people in the health insurance scheme.

According to him, there is still a long way to go for the health sector in the state, as doctors in Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital are not well treated.

“The doctors in that place have not been paid their medical residency training fund; apart from their hazard allowance that was improved on, no other thing, no minimum wage paid, the doctors have likely left the country.

“Those left are being overworked and burdened. The state government should do its best to sustain the place and workers,” Mr Adedapo said.

The Oyo State NMA boss also emphasised that the welfare package for health workers in the state and country should be improved for the sector to make more progress and not collapse.

Contributing, Muhammed Odedeji, medical director of Ashamby Hospital, Moniya, Ibadan, said that there has been an improvement in the Oyo State health sector.

Mr Odedeji, however, frowned at the fact that there was a negative aspect to the government not being able to keep its word on commitments to workers in the healthcare system.

The former Oyo State NMA spokesperson urged the government to continue to have the will to improve the health sector.

He commended the government for its free surgical health outreach but called for an increase in staff salaries.

(NAN)