The Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, has called for the establishment of more foundations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to address the growing needs of the nation’s health sector.
Mr. Chukwu, represented by Yewande Jinadu, the Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Meta, Lagos, made the call at the formal presentation of the Moses Adekoyejo Majekodunmi Foundation (MAMF) in Lagos.
The MAMF was founded in 2000 by the late Moses Majekodunmi, the founder of St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos.
Mr. Chukwu said that foundations, NGOs, frequent lectures and seminars would create avenues for the development of the sector.
“Credible foundations and NGOs will contribute immensely to the growth of the sector, as more areas of attention will be tackled promptly.
“All these are crucial for continuous development in the medical profession,” he said.
Mr. Chukwu commended the private sector’s involvement in Nigeria’s healthcare system, especially to end medical tourism in the country.
Oladipo Akinkugbe, the Chairman at the occasion, said that good foundations had contributed immensely to the growth and development of many nations.
“It is worthwhile to set up foundations as these add to the growth and development of different sectors in any nation. We have had foundations such as the Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation and many others.
“These foundations have made great impact, not only to their nations, but to individuals and the global community,” he said.
The Chairman of the foundation, Olufemi Majekodunmi, said that MAMF was set up to create positive impact on Nigeria’s health sector.
According to him, the foundation’s aim is to create a positive impact on the health, education and welfare of Nigerians with particular emphasis on medical issues relating to women and infants.
Also, Dapo Majekodunmi, a director of the foundation, said that MAMF would also pay attention to some other areas which would be of benefit to Nigerians.
“Particular attention will be on girl-child, scholarship endowments, provision of books to schools, transportation and sustenance of medical outreaches,” he said.
NAN
