Chief Medical Director of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) Multi-System Hospital, Dr Kolawole Ogundipe, and wife of Cross River State Governor, Eyoanwaan Otu, have called on Nigerians to demand their rights to healthy living as fundamental human rights and not fixated on salary increase and palliatives alone.
In his message, yesterday, at an event put together at the Multi-System Hospital to commemorate this year’s World Health Day, in partnership with Triple Green Environmental Development Foundation, Ogundipe noted that the government had always boasted of providing medical facilities and building hospitals without paying attention to non-clinical aspect of health, which include the environment and social factors.
He said: “Everybody’s health matters. The theme of this year’s World Health Day is: “Our Health, Our Right. The health of every Nigerian is their fundamental right. How long a man will live is determined by the environment he lives in. And when we talk of the environment, we are looking at the fresh air he breathes, and the water he drinks. These are things we should be demanding from our government.
“What we are doing here today is to sensitise the people to be able to demand from those in authority. We talk of deforestation, urbanisation and even improper town planning. We don’t even have access to good water. Most of us here have to generate water by ourselves. We have heard about billions of naira water projects here in Ekiti, but how many homes can access the water.”
The Lead Speaker and the Technical Adviser to Ekiti State Governor on Green Economy and Ecological Matters, Dr Akinyemi Akinyugha, in his paper titled: “Exploring the Critical Intersection of Environmental and Social Impact of Human Health,” noted that people paid lip service to environmental issues because it did not affect them quickly like health issues.
He said the environmental factors were as important as health issues, citing a report that said heat killed 147 people in five countries to buttress his claim,
In her speech, Otu said the government must provide quality healthcare delivery to her citizens, saying: “Healthcare is not a privilege but a fundamental human right of the people.”
She stated this, yesterday, during the flag-off of the third edition of the Free Medical Outreach in partnership with Faith Outreach to mark her Diamond Jubilee birthday celebration in Akamkpa Council of the state.
She said: “Reflecting on the remarkable successes of our previous initiatives, particularly the Free Medical Outreach 1.0 and 2.0, I am reminded of the transformative power of collective action. The data harvested from these endeavours, showcasing 1907 general consultations, 122 surgeries, 105 laboratory investigations, 96 dental care procedures, and 341 eye services rendered in the Central Senatorial District, underscores the profound impact we have had on the lives of our people.
“Let us reaffirm our commitment to fostering a healthier and more prosperous society. By investing in the health and well-being of our people, we lay the foundation for a brighter future and a more resilient workforce.”
While applauding Otu’s gesture, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, said the intervention would go a long way in addressing healthcare treatments that could not be afforded by the community members.
