The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has called on state governors across the country to prioritize the delivery of healthcare services at the grassroots level, emphasizing the importance of accessible and quality health care for every citizen, especially in rural and underserved communities.
Speaking at a national health summit in Abuja, the Senate Leader highlighted that despite significant strides in health policy reforms, there remains a considerable gap in the provision of healthcare services to rural populations. He stressed that the majority of Nigerians, particularly in remote areas, continue to face serious barriers to accessing basic health care, with inadequate facilities, shortage of medical personnel, and limited infrastructure exacerbating the situation.
“We cannot afford to ignore the health needs of our rural communities. It is imperative that healthcare delivery is not only concentrated in urban centers but reaches the very people who need it most in our local and remote areas,” said Opeyemi Bamidele. “State governors must take the lead in ensuring that healthcare services are available, affordable, and of high quality at the grassroots level.”
The Senate Leader underscored that improving healthcare infrastructure, expanding the reach of primary healthcare centers, and ensuring the adequate training and retention of medical professionals in these areas are crucial steps towards achieving equitable health outcomes. He also called for increased investment in community-based health programs, which have proven to be effective in addressing local health challenges.
"The federal government alone cannot meet the healthcare needs of our entire population; this must be a joint effort with state and local governments playing an active role. We need to build a healthcare system that is accessible to all Nigerians, regardless of where they live."