A former Minister for Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, has said that universal healthcare coverage needs funding to be adequately implemented in the country.
Prof Chukwu, who served as Minister during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, said that many people cannot afford medical services in Nigeria, as a result of poverty.
Speaking on Thursday in Enugu, during a one-day national asthma conference organized by the Amaka Chiwuike-Uba Foundation (ACUF), with the theme: "Better Breathing...", Chukwu said that funding is direly needed for universal health coverage, arguing that health is a human rights of citizens.
He said: "I must congratulate Dr Uba for establishing this foundation that aims to undertake proper care of people living with asthma and other respiratory diseases. The theme for this year's conference in particular important because of the dangers we face as a result of pollution and it is still part of the theme of the 2017 conference.
"We should leave here with what we need to tell government about improving healthcare and services. Regrettable, many people cannot access quality healthcare or medical services, as a result of poverty. That's why we must support universal healthcare coverage. We need funding for universal healthcare coverage in Nigeria. It is a human right of Nigerian citizens."
Also speaking, a consultant chest physician and professor of medicine, Prof Gregory Erhabor, said that education of the public by medical practitioners is paramount, as it would help in changing their perception about medical conditions.
"In the UK and other advanced countries, medical practitioners educate their patients. When the patient has cancer, asthma or any other ailment, you educate him. The internet is not the best way for education, because you can find many junks there. It is our responsibility to pass the message across to the world. We might not necessarily change the world, but we will change a lot," he said.
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