By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
In ensuring that the issues of the nation’s healthcare sector is adequately addressed, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi has presented a cheque of N10 million to St. Philomena Hospital, Benin.
He also tasked the federal government to investments more in health, education and in human capital.
He gave the money when he visited the facility where he was received by the nursing students and management of St. Philomena Hospital.
Mr. Obi said countries that are said to have been developed, are said to have attained that feat through investing in three major areas, vis-a-vis health, education and their numerical strength, pointing out that such cannot be said of Nigeria at this moment.
“It has been shown clearly, the three most critical measurements of development, is very simple, health, because that is where you have life expectancy. That is the only thing, good health because the more healthy people are, the more productive they are. That is why they said health is wealth.
“Two, it is education, three, is, per capital, which is pulling people out of poverty. If you get these three things right, you become developed.
“So, the more you invest in this three, the more developed you are. When we talk about governance, it is something that is as simple as ABC. You either invest in the critical areas that drive development or you are not.
“So, today’s issue is because, we are lacking in investment in health, we are lacking in investment in education and we are not pulling our people out of poverty. When these three things are missing, we have a crisis”, Obi said.
Mr. Obi who gave a donation of N10 million to the school as part of his contribution towards the health sector, lamented the non verification of the profession by the authority concerned and which has become a major concern in the association.
“With all due respect to the Nursing and Midwifery Council, it is a competitive licensing and verification of these young ones we are looking for.
“We are looking for a proper authorization to be able to work anywhere, globally irrespective of the population, we can train them.
“All the government needs to do, if they think we have issue of brain drain, is to invest in them. We can do more investments, we can train them and give them opportunity to be able to work in anywhere in the world.
“These kids need employment to earn good living to be able to support their families. We will help them to do that. That is why I am appealing that this verification exercise to be given to them
Obi who said he has visited 18 facilities in the country where he has made some financial contributions, said he has more other areas to go to make some financial commitment, added that all hands must be on deck to rescue the country.
On the part of the Administrator of the St. Philomena Hospital and School, Rev. Fr. Jorome Idebe, he thanked Obi for his donation towards the school’s project, adding that, the money will be judiciously put to use.
