Dr Betta Edu
By Akpan David, Calabar
The chairman of Nigerian Commissioners for Health Forum, Dr Betta Edu has called for increased investments by both governments and the private sector.
She spoke in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State at the ongoing Bayelsa Health Summit 2021.
She called on governors in the country to exert the political will to boost healthcare as such will reduce restiveness’, crimes and banditry in the country.
Edu, commissioner for health in Cross River State, also emphasised that health financing and private sector involvement should be paramount.
Edu maintained that state and federal governments should intensify actions towards health issues.
Commending the spirit behind Bayelsa Health Summit 2021 especially the supports the state governor, Duoye Diri has extended to healthcare, Edu called on other state governments to similarly mount public actions to address mounting health issues in their states.
She encouraged state governors not to be discouraged from emphasising on health in the face of difficult economic challenges.
“Political will by state governments is imperative to be able to achieve health financing and health development. There is necessity to include the private sector in the drive to achieve health financing.
“I will also want to persuade state and federal governments to invest more in health. I believe that doing that will seriously reduce restiveness, banditry and other crimes in Niger Delta and elsewhere.”
The health commissioners boss commended the former president, Dr Good luck Jonathan for signing into law the National Health Act in 2014.
She maintained that it set the true foundation to drive the health sector.
She also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for implementing the National Health Act.
