Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that the current rate of infant and maternal mortality at 74 and 630 respectively, has made Nigeria to be among the worst in the world.Atiku who spoke in Owerri at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Progressive Governance Lecture Series, said that this situation is unacceptable to a nation that is endowed with enough resources to take good care of its citizens,
According to him, health is not a privilege, but a right which “every citizen in a modern society is entitled t.”
He insisted that lack of resources is not responsible for Nigeria’s relative under-development, but the backwardness is as result of lack of vision by leaders, adding that that Nigeria has the resources, but needed “leadership, vision and determination to make things work.”
Atiku Abubakar said the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Nigeria has brought to the fore Nigeria’s emergency management response strategies, saying that the fatal disease calls for urgent need for adequate investments in healthcare, infrastructure and service delivery across the country.
Atiku Abubakar regretted that the statistics are disturbing and that the outbreak of Ebola had only exposed the underbelly of our healthcare system.
According to him, despite the Nigeria’s vast resources and human capital, the doctor-to-patient ratio in Nigeria remains at 1 to 6,400, far below the WHO standard of 1 to 600.
He also lamented that at 50% access to improved water source and 35% adequate sanitation for Nigerians, the country is among the lowest in the world.
He said emphasis on healthcare education even as he considered it embarrassing that in the 21st century, Nigerians would be resorting to crude solution of “soaking ourselves in salty water to fight the virulent Ebola virus.”
The former Vice President also lamented the fact that “highly qualified and experienced medical professionals who were trained at public expense but chose to practice abroad.”
Atiku said there should be creative solutions to deal with this situation of investing heavily in healthcare professionals who end up serving abroad.
He explained that in a federal system, states should introduce policies that would attract doctors to serve their needs.
Atiku, who is also the Turaki Adamawa stressed that there is no justification for workers everywhere in the country to earn the same salaries.
[myad]
Niwoyi aro. What did he do about this, or any other issue when he was VP? All former office holders should pls step aside for new blood. They have nothing new to offer us.
Atiku and others has spoken very well. With people like this at the hem of affairs the sky will be our starting point. Atiku is always on point when it's comes to matters affecting our nation showing that he is in touch with the people and the most qualified for Aso Rock come 2015.
Well said Atiku.
Your speech has shown how informed you are and how well you will do if elected President come 2015.
Nigeria needs a leader who knows our challenges and has a plan or blue print on how to tackle this challenges.
I know you will make a very good President for our great nation and I wish luck.
GOD BLESS NIGERIA!