NMA laments poor state of government owned hospitals in Edo

WorldStage Newsonline— Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Edo, Dr Emmanuel Osaigbovo has expressed worry over the state of government owned hospitals in Edo state with only three out of the 34 government health institutions functioning.
Osaigbovo disclosed this on Wednesday in an interview in Benin.
He named the functional hospitals as the Central Hospital, Stella Obasanjo Hospital and General Hospital, Auchi.
However, he said that in the course of the five days warning strike embarked upon by the association last March, the state government hinted of its intention to ensure the rejuvenation of all its hospital.
The NMA chairman said this was contained in a government blueprint on the health sector in the state, which was made available to the association.
He noted that the blueprint also contained government possible solution to some of the issues raised, which prompted the strike.
He added that the government blueprint outlined plans for new development of primary healthcare centres, with the first 20 to be fixed within three months and an additional 200 to be completed within 24 months.
Osaigbovo also said that the government has given assurance to employ more doctors and allied health workers before the end of the year.
While underscoring the need for government not just build facilities without utilisation due to dearth of manpower, he said that the people of the state deserve the best.
The NMA chairman, who blamed strike actions in the country on the inability of government to do the needful for her citizens, urged government to always show commitment to the welfare of citizens and stop reneging on promises.
He said that this was because the citizens were the most hit by hardship and the effect of any industrial action.
Osaigbovo revealed that it took the intervention of the Benin monarch, the State House of Assembly and well meaning citizens of the state to stop the association from proceeding on an indefinite strike after the five days warning strike in March.