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From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) and ABUAD Multi System Hospital, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) has advised the federal and state governments to increase the budgetary allocation of federal and state-owned hospitals to discourage medical doctors in the country from traveling abroad.
He believed that increment in budget allocation to the hospitals will enable them to procure quality medical equipment and also increase the salaries of doctors.
This was part of the remarks made by the legal giant at the 64th National Council on Health meeting held in ABUAD at the weekend.
Babalola said : “It is a notorious fact that Nigerian doctors have been leaving the country in droves because of dearth of quality medical equipment and facilities in our hospitals.
“Both the Federal and State Governments should increase their allocations to their respective hospitals. These will enable them procure quality equipment, consumables and hire competent Consultants and Allied Medical Workers.
“The Federal Government should increase TETFund by 1% which should be used by medical institutions to buy quality equipment and hire competent staff. These additional allocation would equally enable research and collaboration between Hospitals and Universities with reputable hospitals ”
Earlier, Babalola commended those in the medical profession, charging them to do everything possible to preserve the profession. He suggested the reintroduction of hygiene as a compulsory subject for pupils in primary school.
“From time immemorial, the medical profession has been recognized as one of the foremost professions all over the world. I congratulate you for being members of that profession. Everything must be done to preserve the profession.
“In the 1930 and 40s when I was in Elementary School at Emmanuel Primary School, Ado-Ekiti, there was no Doctor and hospital in Ado-Ekiti. However, there was an Irish lady who we believed was a Doctor. In fact, she was a Nurse. In those days, the Colonialists who understand the importance of health introduced Hygiene as a compulsory subject for Primary 1 to 6 pupils.
“Those of us who went to school around that time, knew so much about Human Anatomy and First Aid. Deriving from this, it is my humble submission that Hygiene should be reintroduced and made a compulsory subject in all Primary and Secondary Schools in the country.
“Why am I making this suggestions? You will all recall that when Covid-19 ravaged the world between December 2019 and the better part of 2020, all the things we were asked to do, wash your hands, clean your environment, eat good food and so on were taught in Hygiene lessons in those days.”
The founder of the well-equipped 400-bed ABUAD Multi System Hospital, while commenting on the establishment of private hospitals in the country, lamented the poor state of most of them, saying most of the private facilities were not better than mere slaughter slabs because they lack quality medical equipment .
According to him, “There is nothing wrong in doctors establishing private hospitals. it is their legitimate right. But I am worried about the state and performance of our private hospitals today. Most of them are not better than mere slaughter slabs. My experience in the last two years shows that patients who otherwise would have died were rushed to quality hospitals at the point of death where their lives were saved.
” I therefore suggest that the laws establishing private hospitals should be amended to ensure that they procure quality medical equipment. Doctors should also be advised to come together to form partnerships similar to cooperative societies to enable them establish quality private medical outfits.
“I therefore advise this body to recommend salaries and allowances comparable to what is paid in other countries for our doctors.
“Here in ABUAD, when the “ja pa” syndrome became so prevalent in Nigeria, we had to top the salaries and emolument of our staff by 35%, over and above what obtains in public universities. You know what? Everybody is happy, committed to what he is doing.”
He urged members of the profession to make discipline their watchword, saying any errant member should not be spared.
” To ensure discipline, there should be an amendment to the rules guiding the medical profession in such a way that there would be stiffer penalties for errant members of the profession.”
He restated that people who have contributed immensely to the country in various sectors should be recognized with national honours, saying those who are holding or who have held political offices should not only be beneficiaries of such gesture.
” I have said in different fora in the past that National Honours should not be an exclusive preserve of politicians, Governors, Ministers alone but for those who have made significant contributions to the country in health, education, agriculture and all other areas of human endeavour. ”
The Senior Advocate also restated the need for a new constitution calling on Nigerians to join the campaign, that will give room for more women and professional bodies and allow part- time legislation.
” I urge all of you to join our crusade for a new constitution that will ensure representation for women and Professional Bodies, they will ensure part-time legislation, that will ensure that Legislators earn only sitting allowances instead of the present humongous salaries and above all, a constitution that will not make politics the only lucrative business in town.”
