Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan has called on governments to strengthen health infrastructures that would address the healthcare needs of the people and meet the United Nations specifications on health.
He added that COVID-19 pandemic had put into the consciousness of everyone including administrators, politicians and professionals that health-related issues should no longer be taken for granted.
Jonathan who was in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state to flag-off the 2021 Physicians Week stated this on Tuesday at Ikot Ekpene local government on the state Governor’s invitation to commission the phase one of the 117-year-old remodelled general hospital.
The former President commended the state Governor, Udom Emmanuel for the provision of health infrastructures, adding that health security is paramount in national security of the country.
His words, “Let me thank the governor for making it possible for me to link with this project, a hospital that has history, that has been completely renovated, redesigned, reconfigured for effective health care delivery.
“It is a good way to start the programme that has actually brought me to partner with the NMA in their annual programme and it is good that we are starting the health week with the commissioning to meet the health needs of the people.
“We commend the governor because health is key. When you are talking about national security, health security is quite prominent, the COVID-19 pandemic has opened the eyes of everybody; be you professionals, politicians, administrators that health in the nation is key and we have to do everything possible to strengthen the infrastructure to deliver the health needs and based on UN provisions, health is a human right issue. We thank the governor for providing this facility”.
Earlier, in his speech, the state Governor, Udom Emmanuel expressed appreciation to the former President for honouring the invitation to the state.
Emmanuel who was represented by the state deputy governor, Moses Ekpo, explained that the commissioning is a fulfillment of his campaign promises to the people.
“The commissioning of this General Hospital is a fulfillment of a campaign promise I made, to establish world-class secondary health care facilities (general hospitals) in all ten Federal Constituencies in the State. With today’s event, we have completed and commissioned to the glory of God, all but one, (Ikot Abasi) whose work is ongoing.”
