Following spiralling indexes of mortality and morbidity rates in the country, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has appealed to his colleagues in the National Assembly to focus attention on the development of the health sector.
Most importantly, the Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, urged the Federal Lawmakers to make huge investment in the health sector to complement the Governors’ giant strides in boosting access to quality healthcare by Nigerian masses.
Senator Bamidele spoke in Efon Alaaye, on Monday, during the commencement of the 11-day Second Phase of his Free Medical Outreach across the five local governments in Ekiti Central Senatorial District.
A total of 6,600 constituents benefitted from the first batch of the programme, where beneficiaries were treated free for diseases like: hypertension, diabetes, hepatitis, hernia, among other killer diseases.
Speaking at the event, Bamidele, represented by his Senior Legislative Assistant, Hon. Gbenga Banji, posited that no Nigerian worths dying because of any treatable disease, which he said makes it imperative for leaders to take proactive actions to fortify government’s health facilities.
Bamidele hailed Governor Biodun Oyebanji for radically equipping the primary, secondary and tertiary health sectors with equipment and proficient personnel to achieve the concept of Universal Health Coverage.
Speaking on the second phase of the programme, the Senator revealed that it was conceptualised following pressing demands from his constituents, who couldn’t benefit from the first phase.
“It has always been my belief that no Nigerian must die because of any treatable disease, but we got disappointed oftentimes as most citizens used to lose their lives because of diseases that can be treated so easily.
“But accessibility to quality healthcare service is very essential, and this can be limited by economic, financial and lack of facilities.
“That is why all stakeholders, particularly my colleagues from the National Assembly must focus attention on how to increase access to healthcare in terms of funding by the poor masses.
“It is not something that was heartwarming that the Life Expectancy of an average Nigerian is still pegged at 55.44 years. No effort should be spared to increase it, so that our people can live healthy lives and reap the fruits of their labour.
“The rate at which people slumped and died because of high blood pressure and other cardiac diseases was alarming. That was why I conceived this medical outreach to offer free treatments and expose our people to routine healthcare tips that can safeguard their lives”.
Bamidele appealed to the residents of the Senatorial district to avail themselves of the opportunity to get disentangled from diseases constituting threats to their lives by visiting the designated centres to meet the experts on grounds to offer free services to them.
Meanwhile, the Alahun of Ahun Ekiti, in Efon Local Government Area, Oba Jacob Adelowo, who praised Senator Bamidele, described the gesture as landmark and capable of checking untimely deaths among rural dwellers.
Oba Adelowo said the health intervention service will help the poor overcome some of their medical challenges that had impeded them from contributing to community and economic growth, thereby increasing poverty index in the state.
Oba Adelowo added that the programme represents one of the best ways to give the masses the deserved dividends of democracy, rather than the cosmetic approaches being offered by some leaders.
“To me, Senator Bamidele remains a good representative of the people. He hasn’t disappointed us. This is one of the best ways to serve the populace. Health is wealth. Whoever helps in giving you good health has given you life. I appreciate his love for Ekiti State, especially for the poor masses”, he said.