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The association said the high prices of drugs would compound
the woes of Nigerians, particularly those suffering from one ailment or the
other, as many of them could not afford the prices.
The association’s President, Prof. Alphonso Isara, stated
this while speaking with journalists at the 40th Annual General Meeting and
Scientific Conference, held in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Tuesday.
The conference was themed, ‘Repositioning Public Health in a
New Political Dispensation’.
According to him, the health sector in the country was
facing a series of challenges as a result of the social-economic crisis in the
country, hence the need for stakeholders to tackle the problem.
He said, “The present political dispensation in Nigeria has
ushered in an avalanche of public health issues that are threatening the
healthcare delivery system of the country. There are many cracks visible in the
health system building blocks.
“There is drastic depletion of the health workforce
occasioned by brain drain, as many health workers have emigrated in drones from
the shores of Nigeria for greener pastures abroad.
“The current socio-economic challenge impedes accessing
healthcare for many citizens. Medical products, including drugs, remain out of
reach of the majority of citizens as a result of policies and sundry conditions
that have prevented manufacturing companies from operating effectively in
Nigeria.
“Healthcare, especially public health is in danger in the
present dispensation. However, APHPN will continue to push for a better
healthcare system in Nigeria through advocacy, dedicated service delivery,
stakeholder engagements, and capacity building of its members.”
Isara however declared the readiness of the association to
collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health, other relevant agencies and
relevant stakeholders in the health sector, especially the “Nigeria Health
Sector Renewal Investment Programme” of the present government.
“For half a century of its existence, APHPN has been a major
actor and player in the healthcare delivery space in Nigeria”, he noted.
During the conference, Isara stated that the APHPN members
would brainstorm during the plenary sessions and scientific paper presentations
to proffer solutions to the current challenges in the healthcare delivery
system in Nigeria.
He said, “One of the ways to achieve this is to reposition
public health services for a better, effective and efficient healthcare
delivery. Repositioning public health in this political dispensation is an
uphill task, but one that must be done.
“Having worked so hard for 50 years, it becomes imperative
for us to celebrate our success. For this reason, a day in this conference has
been dedicated to the golden jubilee celebration.”