July , 2021
The Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, ACMPN, has harped on the importance of a mandatory contributory social health insurance, to enable Nigeria attain Universal Health Care, UHC coverage by 2030.
The National President ACMPN, Dr. Matthew Ashikeni, made this known at the 15th National Conference of the Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria & Africa Regional Conference with the theme, ‘Universal Health Coverage 2030 and Health Security: The Role of Catholic Doctors,’ in Abuja.
Dr. Ashikeni who emphasised on the quality of Catholic doctors and their wide range of coverage especially in the rural areas, called for support from government and inclusion of catholic doctors by government agencies in provision of essential services to Nigerians.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected the progress towards UHC by 2030, hence the need for government agencies to integrate Catholic health institutions and other similar facilities to complement each other in the provision of essential health services to all Nigerians.
“There must be deliberate efforts in supporting these health institutions for synergy and the multiplier effects on the health of citizens without their suffering financial hardships especially considering that out of pocket payment for health care accounts for as high as 76.6% of total expenditure on health, with the poor suffering the most.
Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Professor Pat Utomi who stressed the important role of medical practitioners to national development, raised concerns over the poor attention of government to health care services and delivery in the country.
“Despite the importance of heath care, it seems we don’t pay the appropriate attention to it.
Dr Utomi stressed that government must focus on education and health care, as education ciild help solve problems in society.
Nancy AnikaEzie
