Emmanuel Kehinde, ilorin
The Associatiion of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) on Tuesday in Ilorin has called on the Federal Government to build a resilient health system in Nigeria.
Dr Prosper Okonkwo, the Chief Executive Officer, APIN Public Health Iniative made the call in his keynote lecture entitled:”The Imperatives for Strengthening the Nigerian Health System,” at the association’s 38th Annual Scientific Conference 2022.
According to him, health system worldwide are responding adaptively to changing situations and circumstances.
“These circumstances include epidemiological transitions and emerging and re-emerging infections, changing demographics, and the future of and future emergencies,” he said.
Okonkwo called for improved product management activities in the country, saying it is access to life saving health commodities.
He observed that the integration of public health supply chain through the establishment of the Nigeria Supply Chain Integration Project (NSCIP) in 2014 has contributed to improved access to health commodities in Nigeria.
The Physician also advised that patients and communities must be the centre of health care services and programs, while calling for availability of critical epidemiology data for adequate policy decision.
The Public Health Physician also called for improvement and strengthening of public health institutions and infrastructure as well as establishment of strong public health networks.
Okonwo who also advocated for efficient training and retraining of health workers, called on government at all levels to support continuous capacity development of staff in ministries of health and public health institutions.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr Alphonsus Isara, National President of APHPN stated that the theme of 2022 Conference is apt and will afford members opportunity to rub minds together on the important issue.
Isara noted that at the advent of COVID-19 pandemic, public health physicians have remained in the forefront of supporting and building a resilient and responsive Nigerian health system
He noted that at the end of conference, it is expected that there will be actionable strategies that will usher in a better health systems in Nigeria.
Dr Michael Oguntoye, the Chairman of APHPN Kwara Chapter, who spoke at the event, noted that the Nigeria health system is bedeviled with myraid of challenges.
He asserts that a strengthened health system is designed around trained and we’ll motivated human resource, adequate infrastructure and sustainable supply of health commodities.
Oguntoye therefore called on government to invest heavily in health system in the county .
He explained that the conference will provide another opportunity for health practitioners to rub mind. Interact and make adequate recommendation for health improvement.
The Kwara State Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi,commended the public health physicians for the roles played during the out break of covid 19.
He reiterated the resolve of the state Government on improving health care system in kwara State capital.
