By Isaac Ukpoju
Keffi (Nasarawa State) – Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, has identified poor attitude of some health personnel as one of the reasons for increased medical tourism.
Ehanire made this known on Tuesday while inaugurating some projects at the Federal Medical Centre, Kefffi in Nasarawa State.
He said that attitude of some medical workers toward the patients had discouraged many Nigerians and made them to lose confidence in the nation’s health system.
“We are complaining today that too many Nigerians do not have confidence in the health sector and those who have money prefer to go abroad for treatment.
“Sometimes, it is not because there is no equipment or skilled doctors, it’s just because they have no trust in the system.
“We want to improve that and make people to know that when they come into the hospital they will be treated with respect and care,” Ehanire said.
He said that patients were the major reasons for the existence of hospitals and not doctors or nurses, and as such they should be treated as ‘kings’.
Ehanire decried incessant strike by health workers at the expense of the patients, saying that such was not acceptable in other climes.
“As health personnel, our job is strictly essential services and we should not be going on strike.
“There should be no reason why people who care for others would drop their tools and get away. Who then will take care of them?
“I want a situation where health workers should know that whatever issues they have, can be solved through dialogue.
“We must embrace negotiation and not strikes bearing in mind that our job is more of a humanitarian service,” the minister said.
He said that the Federal Government was poised to improving the health sector by providing equipment and other facilities.
According to him, all Federal Medical Centres have been directed to identify the disease burden in their various locations and forward their needs to the Federal Ministry of Health for prompt action.
