President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said the Federal Government is seeking preventive action to eliminate infections such as Ebola.
The President said this at the State House, Abuja, shortly after taking the oath as a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians, according to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu Receives Fellowship of West African College of Physicians, Tasks Medical Experts on Solutions to Brain Drain.’
Tinubu’s remarks come barely two days after the FG confirmed its first case of the disease in Abuja.
“We are more challenged in Africa than anywhere else, you know, and with the outbreak of Ebola now we’re looking for a preventive action that will eliminate all these problems and infections.
“So, I wish you the best. As I pledge to behave myself, I will continue to do whatever I can do for this honourable profession, he stated.
Tinubu urged the medical professionals to find solutions to the migration of skilled health workers from West Africa, which he said put considerable pressure on health systems, limited access to essential services and increased the workload of those who remained.
He asked the college’s leaders to use their forthcoming conference to develop practical, sustainable solutions.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to health sector reforms that make care more accessible, affordable and efficient, and commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate.
“We as a government are doing everything possible. Please help me congratulate the reform-oriented physician, Ali Pate, who has been doing a very good job,” he stated.
The President of the College and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Dr Mamadou Ka, said the fellowship was awarded to the best-performing president in health care delivery in the sub-region.
Ka said, “This award is given only to presidents who have made a mark in health care delivery and affected the health of the West African people.”
The college’s Secretary-General, Prof Musa Dankyau, said the fellowship had been awarded only eight times in the college’s 50 years, first to former Gambian President Dawda Jawara.
According to him, General Ibrahim Babangida was the only previous Nigerian recipient, as Head of State in 1991.
Dankyau said the council had noted Tinubu’s contributions to health infrastructure, access to care and emergency care, and investment in primary health care and universal health coverage.
He said over $2.2bn had been invested in that area, a figure the statement did not source.
He added that the college had been reassured on Ebola, saying, “Just a couple of days back, the health minister had also announced that we are ready and prepared to face Ebola.”
The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Pate; the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; and the Special Adviser to the President on Health Matters, Dr Salma Anas.
The College also informed President Tinubu that its 50th anniversary celebration and Annual General Scientific Meeting would be held from October 26 to 28 at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.