Kogi State Government has reiterated its commitment in provision of basic health services for all as a major priority.
Governor of the Confluence state, Capt Idris Wada disclosed this in Lokoja at the opening ceremony of the 55th Annual Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting organized by the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) on Thursday.
Represented by the Honorable Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Idris Omede, Capt Wada noted that his administration has made some significant stride in human resources for health and also planning to do more adding that his government was quite abreast of health needs of the people of the state and is working assiduously to provide the needful resources.
The Governor who expressed delight on the themes of the conference added that it will promote harmony among health profession and also beneficial as it will improve health care delivery.
“The conference themes are timely, topical and relevant in contributing through the spirit of team work and harmony with other professions and professional in medical and health services to the health needs of the nation, this will be beneficial to mankind and improve the overall health status of our people,” begins Governor Wada.
“It gladdens my heart that two of your guest speakers, (Professor J.A. Balogun and Dr. Francis Fatoye are illustrious sons of the state, it is our hope that with the establishment of now functional College of Health Sciences in Kogi State University and the Kogi State University Teaching Hospital by my administration we shall be able to attract them back home to impact knowledge to would be students of physiotherapy as well as provide service to the people.
We have embarked on new health infrastructural development, we need the support of all of all you in our quest to make Kogi State health service a pride, my administration will continue to support your society (NSP) and other professional associations,” Governor Wada conclude.
The National President of NSP, Taiwo Oyewumi who thanked the Kogi State chapter of NSP for successful hosting enjoined the state government to set physical therapy centers in the three senatorial districts of the state just as called for more physiotherapists in the state’s clinics.
The Chairman of Kogi State NSP and Chairperson of the Local Organizing Committee, Mrs Tayo Eniolorunda said with only eight members the state has, they have contributed immensely to see that the pains of their patients were alleviated adding that if there are more physiotherapists employed in the state, there will be high reduction in the risk and hardship their clients go through to access physical therapy services.
The keynote lectures that were delivered by guest speakers include “Advancing Physiotherapy in Nigeria: The Next Step” by Professor Joseph Balogun from USA and “Physiotherapy in Preventive Healthcare: Challenges and The Way Forward” by Dr Francis Fatoye from UK.
Dignitaries at the events include the chairman of the occasion, Ambassador Isyaka Usman Akanson, Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Dr. D.G Eleshin, Registrar of Post Graduate. Physiotherapy College of Nigeria, Revd. Adeoluwa Jaiyesimi, Registrar of the Medical Rehabilitation Board of Nigeria (MRTB) Mrs Olufunke Akanle among others.
