Tinubu urged to tackle challenges facing health sector

 The Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria has urged the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, to take proactive measures to tackle the challenges bedevilling the health sector in Nigeria, on his assumption of office.

Dr Victor Makanjuola and Dr Yemi Raji, President and Secretary of the association in a congratulatory message to the President-elect appealed to him to ensure the smooth running of existing laws for effective contributions in the health sector.

He said, “On behalf of the National Officers Committee and entire members of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, we wish to congratulate you on your election as the next President of our dear country, Nigeria.”

The association noted that the victory of Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 25 February 2023 poll confirmed the confidence that Nigerians have in his ability to turn around the fortunes of the country for the better and hoped that he will draw from the vast experience he has garnered over time, in both the public and private sectors and particularly his outstanding performance as the Executive Governor of a modern Lagos State, as he gets set to build the Nigeria of dreams.

The association stated that it is evident that he would be inheriting the leadership of a country divided along religious and ethnic lines, believing that he would draw from his trademark tolerant and disposition to pull the country together and leverage its diversity as a springboard for a resilient, strong, and united country with an emerging country that will become a fountain of peace, development, and social justice.

As the body of Medical and Dental Specialists in Nigeria, the statement called on the President-elect’s attention to the needed reforms in the country’s healthcare delivery system, saying that the system currently faces challenges of big funding gaps, infrastructure deficits, and a demoralised workforce.

It added that the poor motivation of healthcare workers has led to the ongoing emigration of the healthcare workforce to greener pastures.