Last week, the national body Kogi State Medical Students Association (KOMSA) hosted her annual Health Week Program, in Lokoja, Kogi State.
The 5-day program that ran through December 18 – 22 commenced with a medical outreach at Ganaja Junction, Lokoja. The outreach featured free medical tests and distribution of relief materials to Kogi residents.
During the symposium held at the Federal University, Lokoja, the immediatepast Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Haruna Audu reiterated the commitment of Governor Yahaya Bello to the students welfare, as all plans for the accreditation of the medical school was included in the budget for the 2020 fiscal year.
Dr Saka noted that the recently signed 2020 ‘Budget of Prosperity’ contained plan for a bond for medical students.
“Also included is all that is required to get the medical school accredited by the regulatory bodies. The year 2020 will therefore be a prosperous year for our medical students, as it will be for everyone in Kogi State,” he said.
Dr Saka promised to do everything within his power to ensure that the goals of Governor Bello in the budget are realised.
The immediate past Commissioner for Education, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya reiterated government’s commitment to the medical students, and the current plans for transfer and accreditation of the medical program at KSU.
The Special Guest of Honor, the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Chief Edward Onoja, who was represented by Mr Promise Emmanuel, the Chief Press Secretary, also assured the students of the continuous support from the state government.
The Kogi State NMA Chairman, Dr. Zubair Kabiru, encouraged the students to keep doing well and stated the readiness of the NMA, her mother body, to always support KOMSA.
Guests of Honor present at the event include, the CMD of the Hospitals Management Board, Dr Zakari Usman, CMD of Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Dr Ahmed Attah J., the Commissioner for Police, Kogi State, represented by DSP Samuel Oye.
Others include, Comrade Enejoh Timothy of Kogi State Polytechnic and Comrade Abraham Damilare.
The Guest Speakers were Dr Akogu Simon and Pharm. Onoja Alexander.
Dr Akogu, the CMD KSUTH, spoke extensively on “Universal Health Coverage, the Nigerian Narrative”. His lecture featured the goals of Universal Health Coverage and health for all.
Pharm. Onoja Alexander, Director General/Initiator, EbIgO Initiative, also talked about Health Systems and Policies in Kogi State, and the strategies for success, including the tremendous effort of the state government towards improving the Kogi health sector.
The National President of KOMSA, Edogbo Anthony, thanked the Kogi State government for the efforts so far, and encouraged them to do more as regards KSU medical school accreditation, transfer of students to accredited institutions and payment of medical student bond scheme.
Some other programs held during the Health Week included, the 1st National Quiz Competition of KOMSA in Honor of the Vice Chancellor of KSU, Prof. M.S Abdulkadir, which was won by the ABUTH Chapter of KOMSA. A Novelty football match was also played between KOMSA and the state Chapter of NMA.
The Health Week ended with the presentation of an Award of Appreciation to the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and the Deputy Governor, Chief Edward David Onoja.
The Deputy Governor reassured the students of the commitment of the Kogi State Government to the health sector. He also appreciated the students for coming to contribute their quota to Kogi state via the free medical outreaches.
He assured the students of fast tracking transfer of KSU medical students to accredited institutions while major work would be done on the medical school.
He encouraged them to keep working hard in their various institutions and to always make Kogi proud.
