By Okechukwu Onuegbu
The Presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, Wednesday, alleged that the nation's health sector has collapsed forcing many Nigerians to resort to prayers for spiritual or divine healings as against visiting hospitals.
Obi, who disclosed this at the 6th Public Lecture of the Board of Fellows, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (BOF-PSN) held at Awka, Anambra State capital, alleged that the government rather than partnering local pharmaceutical industries for manufacturing of high quality drugs and medicines, was busy issuing licences for drugs importations and revenues collections.
Obi, who spoke on the event theme, "Access to Quality Medicine in An Unstable Environment," urged the government at all levels to prioritise health sector by providing health insurance to all the citizens, and assisting the local manufacturers of drugs and medicines to survive.
"We need to dismantle the type of leadership we have in the country, and, everyone show commitment to install a government that will provide good governance, otherwise, we can't move forward," he noted.
Also speaking, the Traditional Ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, who praised the contributions of pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria society, described Mr. Peter Obi as a man who stands for the truth at all costs and a lone voice in an unstable world.
Earlier, the Chairman of BOF-PSN, Dr. Joel Adagadzu, explained that the event which drew prominent figures in the field of pharmacy across the country, focused on how the nation can eliminate counterfeit medicines and provide the general public with access to quality medicines for better healthcare and to improve the health sector in the country generally.