‘Poor budgetary allocations, brain drain affect health services in communities’

The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) (Pyrates Confraternity) has lamented how poor budgetary allocations to the health sector by the government, and brain drain among medical doctors, amongst other factors are responsible for low healthcare services in communities across the country.

They then raised alarm over the state of the nation’s primary healthcare centres, saying most of them lack adequate drugs, funding and medical professionals to service the patients.

The NAS Capone, Abiola Owoaje, while speaking during a free medical outreach for residents of the Romi community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, organised by the association, said over 6000 people in Romi community who were suffering from eye diseases, hypertension and other ailments were expected to receive the free medical services.

He said over 6000 people will benefit from the outreach adding, “We normally carry out medical outreach particularly where people in a community have health issues that need medical attention.”

The facility manager of Primary Healthcare Centre, Romi, Mrs Altine Shock, commended the association for the gesture and said it will go a long way in addressing the challenges of inadequate drugs for treat patients.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to newsmen expressed happiness over the lifeline given to them.