Tackle Quackery, Reduce Tax On Private Practitioners, Edo NMA Begs Obaseki

FROM Lateef Taiwo

The Nigerian Medical Association Edo State Branch on Tuesday appealed to Edo state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to ensure that Edo residents have access to affordable and accessible health care which invariably protects them from the dangerous practice of quacks.

The NMA also tasked the state governor to reduce the tax on private practitioners in the state to make doctors stay as well as make the state doctor friendly .

Chairman, NMA Edo State, Dr. Udoka Imoisili made the appeal while addressing newsmen during the 2023 Annual General Meeting & Scientific Conference (AGM&SC) of the Association on Benin City, Edo state.

Imoisili who emphasized the need
for quality healthcare services for Edo residents urged the state government on collaboration with health care stakeholders in the state to achieve the mandatory health insurance using Edo Health Insurance Scheme (EDOHIS) particularly in the face of the current economic challenges.

She said quackery flourishes in the absence of a well coordinated and implemented health insurance to the detriment of the people, the healthcare practitioners, and the government.

“Out of pocket payment for healthcare services, particularly in the face of the current economic challenges, drives most residents to patronise quacks with the attendant untoward effects of preventable morbidities and mortalities.
Edo NMA is set to collaborate with Edo Health Insurance Scheme (EDOHiS), and the general public to put an end to the menace of quackery.”

Through the 2023 Annual General Meeting & Scientific Conference (AGM&SC), commence assisting the government of Edo State to institute modalities to get into a health insurance social contract with citizens of the state, reducing quackery and improve the health indices of the state.

Imoisili said Edo state NMA is committed to ensuring that all indigenes have access to health care, noting that the poor health indices in the state and the nation Nigeria at large is multifactorial and can be largely attributed to
the inability of the masses to afford health care, among others.

“Out of pocket payment for health care, especially with the current economic hardship in the nation occasioned by fuel subsidy removal, will do citizens no good.
Edo NMA has done an appraisal of the prevalent health challenges alongside the impediments to achieving Universal health coverage and has saddled herself with the task of providing answers to this Hydra-headed menace of poor health indices and quackery ravaging the society.

“We have committed ourselves, to collaborate with Edo State Government in developing a strategic plan and with actionable recommendations to reposition the health insurance pack(EDOHIS) in the heart of the people.”

Imoisili added that providing permanent solutions to the health challenges of the people is not only the responsibility of government, but collaborative efforts between government and stakeholders. “As the custodian of the health of the most esteemed citizens of Edo state, it is a professional and moral burden on us in NMA Edo state branch to be at the forefront of this battle against poor health indices, quackery, and ensuring the best quality of health for Edo citizens. We are confident that, although the factors militating against access to good health in the state are enormous, they are very surmountable.” She said.