Chairman, Kwara branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Kolade Solagberu, has called on the state government to appoint qualified doctors as health policy makers in the state.
Solagberu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Ilorin, that it was important for the present administration to put round pegs in round holes to achieve results.
He alleged that the last administration failed because non-medical personnel were appointed to manage the health sector in the state.
“Health care delivery in Kwara is moribund, particularly with the last administration.
“But we have seen that the present administration is determined to make health and education better in the state by conducting an on the spot assessment of the facilities in these sectors.
“So, we want to urge him to be proactive because it is two months already that he assumed office, he should double his effort to ensure things are done on time.
“But the major thing is that he should make sure that he appoints medically qualified personnel to manage the health sector in the state.
“The past administration failed because the governor then did not have a doctor as a commissioner, nor as a permanent secretary, while it was the same at the hospital management bureau too.
“If he had appointed doctors into the right positions, they would have been able to advise him appropriately.
“So, I am appealing to government to put `square pegs’ in the right holes, to ensure success,” Solagberu said.
He added that government should also endeavour to partner with doctors in its policies and programmes.
“We are ready to work with this administration, so I am calling on the government to partner with us in the health policies they want to formulate.
“The last administration did not see us as major stakeholders in the health sector and that is why they failed woefully.
“Most facilities are not in shape, doctors use their personal equipment in state hospitals, which is not right,” Solagberu said. (NAN)