Physicians harp on healthcare delivery system
The Nigeria Chapter of the West African College of Physicians (NACP) has flayed priority issues on healthcare delivery system, saying that for effective way of achieving health for all in 2020, there was need to strengthen measures of proper healthcare delivery system.
While it also called for the provision of specialized healthcare for various people in the sub-region, NACP National Chairman, Dr. Abel Nze Onunu disclosed that the West African College of Physicians formally inaugurated in Lagos in 1976 as an agency of the West African Health Community (WAHC), is at present, known as the West African Health Organization (WAHO) with its functions under the auspices of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
He said that with six faculties in the College’s Community Health,, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, WAHC is the apex organization for training of specialist physicians in the West African sub-region.
Dr. Onunu who made this known in Asaba yesterday at the 41st AGMS, Annual General, Scientific Meeting of West African College of Physician (WACP), commended the State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for his immense contributions to the hosting of this year 2017’s AGSM in Asaba.
He said: “one of the traditions is the AGSM with a specific focus for each year, this has proved to be an invaluable forum for yearly reviews of activities of the college, exchange of innovative concepts in health services, research findings” adding that the theme of this year’s conference; “Universal Access to Health, A Basic Necessity for attainment of the SDG’s” focuses on building sustainable ahealthcare leadership, quality of healthcare.
Dr. Onunu emphasized that major functions of West African College of Physicians (WACP) are training, certification of physicians in the different specialties, accreditation of suitable institutions in member countries for residency training programme leading to the membership and fellowship examinations of the college.
“We seek to advise the governments at all levels and of the countries in the sub-region about priority issues on health and healthcare and the provision of specialized healthcare for various people in the sub-region” Dr. Onunu added. In his remarks, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee and Former Chief Medical Director (CMD) Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Asaba, Dr. Leo Erhunmwunse recalled that a year ago, Delta State was given the enviable task of hosting the 2017 AGSM of the Nigerian Chapter of the WACP, adding that the journey had been exhilarating and challenging, especially in an era of economic recession.
He appreciated the multiple assistance rendered by the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Asaba, Dr. Victor Osiatuma, saying that his invaluable contributions especially facilitating measures for the conference, cannot be over stressed.
Declaring the conference open, the State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Azinge, said that development of healthcare sector cannot be over looked, adding that his administration in the last two years, had confronted many challenges in the health sector in the state.
Stressing that Delta State will continue to play leading role in health sector, Dr. Okowa explained: “we have embarked on promoting healthcare awareness to stimulate the progress so far made by my administration” we want to be the best in all medical fields, we retrain our doctors.”
He disclosed that the state with over sixty general hospitals, has strengthened measures to ensure health for all is achieved and sustained, and congratulated the leadership WACP.
