By Kenneth AFOR |
Candidates from various political parties vying for the governorship in Lagos State have pledged that they will not go for medical tourism if they are elected into office.
The pledge was made during the Policy Dialogue with Gubernatorial Candidates in Lagos State, an event organised by the Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL) with the theme: Putting Health and Health Security on the Political Front Burner in Lagos State on Wednesday, January 11.
The candidate of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Funso Doherty while making his presentation during the panel session said his administration will prioritise health care systems that the people trust.
Mr Doherty noted that despite the huge Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) coming into the state coffers, there is low compensation for the state workforce, he said his administration will focus on compensation not just for medical workers but the entire civil service in the state.
Meanwhile, candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) Ajayi Adebayo, who rated the state’s health system low said his administration will ensure that there is drastic reduction of the brain drain and treasury drain in the state’s health sector.
In another presentation, the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) candidate, Mr Mode-Adekunle said he plans to to turn the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in the state to community-based health centres. This, according to him will enable those in the community have unrestricted access to health care services.
Also, Comrade Ishola Rauf Shina, candidate for African Alliance Congress, AAC said, “Lawmakers should enact laws compelling political leaders to seek medical attention locally rather than patronizing healthcare services abroad.”
The session rounded off with the candidates signing the commitment pledge card as a symbol of their commitments to implement the health security agenda in Lagos state.
The candidates in attendance were: African Action Congress (AAC) Olayinka Olayiwola, Action Democratic Congress (ADC), Olufunso Doherty, Allied Peoples Movement (APM) Funmilayo Kupokiyi All Peoples Party (APP) Abiola Adeyemi, Young Progressive Party (YPP) Mr Ajayi Adebayo, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) Adenipebi Mode-Adekunle, among others.