As part of intervention measures to reduce medical tourism and strengthen Nigeria’s health sector, the National Lottery Trust Fund has commissioned and presented medical equipment to some selected healthcare Institutions across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
On the occasion in Abuja, the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr Zaphaniah Bitrus Jisalo said the presentation of the equipment is part of strategies of achieving the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s led administration in the area of affordable and effective healthcare delivery for Nigerians.
Mr Bitrus Jisalo said the present administration’ deemed it necessary to fund the project towards improving the wellbeing of Nigerians through qualitative healthcare delivery.
While reiterating the commitment of his Ministry towards programmes that would actualize the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu for Nigerians, Mr Bitrus Jisalo called for the support of all stakeholders towards repositioning the nation’s health care sector.
In their remarks, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Kaka Lawal and his counterpart from the House of Representatives, Kabiru Tukura promised National Assembly support on legislation that would bring healthcare delivery to the door steps of Nigerians They called for patience and support of all Nigerians towards realizing the developmental goals of the present administration.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume represented by the Director ICT, Mr Isa Francis said the medical equipment was bore out of the need for urgent intervention in the health challenges confronting most Nigerians In a message, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate commended the National Lottery Trust Fund for the presentation of medical equipment Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the National Lottery Trust Fund, Dr Bello Maigari said equipment presented to the beneficiary healthcare institutions include Digital X-ray Machines, Color-Ultra Sound Machines, Suction Machines, Kidney Dialysis Machines, Hydraulic Beds, Wheel Chairs, Blood Banks among others healthcare facilities. Dr Maigari stated that the project was initiated and funded through proceeds raised from lottery and gaming sector.
” It is therefore our hope that Nigeria’s will continue to benefit from investment in these high quality medical facilities going forward and this ground breaking event is one of many of its kind since the beginning of our programme intervention in the health sector in the last few years” He said.
According to him, it is the plan of the Agency to cover the entire thirty six States of the Federation and the FCT to improve access to qualify healthcare services and providing a platform that would promote highest standard of care to rural dwellers. He therefore advised the benefitting healthcare Institutions to make judicious use of the medical equipment towards addressing the health challenges of Nigerians most especially in rural areas.
Speaking on behalf of benefitting healthcare Institutions, Prince Emmanuel Jeminiwa thanked the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental as well as the National Lottery Trust Fund for the intervention in the nation’s health care delivery system. According to him, the equipment will go a long way in actualizing the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s led administration in the area of health.