Okorocha calls for improved health care system in Nigeria

Governor Okorocha (second from left), flanked by APC Chieftains during the 3^rd Progressive Governance Lectures Series held in Owerri

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has decried the state of the nation’s health sector despite some noteworthy efforts being made to improve the sector in some States.

He made his observation known yesterday during the 3^rd Progressive Governance Lectures Series held in Owerri, Imo State capital, with the theme: “Dealing with the Challenge of Building a Physically Healthy Nation through Preventive, Protective and Innovative Medicare,”

Speaking during the occasion, Governor Okorocha who is also the Chairman of APC Governors’ Forum, noted that the nation’s health sector was in a shambles, insisting that the Millennium Development Goals of reductions in, infant mortality, maternal mortality and the occurrence of HIV, malaria and tuberculosis had not been met.

Earlier, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who chaired the event, said the country was operating a dysfunctional system and called for devolution of more powers to the states to enable them drive development and check corruption. Said he; “The Federal Government should as a matter of urgency hand over some of the functions to the state governments and provide them with funds to effectively develop the sectors. The Federal Government had no business in agriculture, education, health as well as infrastructure development.”

Adding his voice, National Chairman of the All Progressives Party (APC), Chief John Oyegun stated that the political mission of the APC was to replace what he termed the inept and visionless administration of the PDP.  The PDP, he said, has brought untold hardship on the people, adding that the nation could not survive another four years of the party’s leadership.

“The present PDP administration at the centre must come to an end in 2015, that is the mission before us. Our mission is simple and we must do everything within our powers that is legitimate to bring the 15 years of PDP’s inept administration to an end. The problems of Nigeria are as a result of a totally visionless and clueless leadership. Today, Nigeria ranks among the lowest in the world in all facets of modern society,” he said.

Speaking further at the occasion, Oyegun alleged that endemic corruption had undermined all sectors of the society, adding that “corruption has become the sole business of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration”. 

Also present at the lecture were Governors of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, River State, Rotimi Amaechi, Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso. Others were Senator Chris Ngige, Senator Magnus Abe among other APC chieftains.