Health Minister Advocates Girl Child Education
The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has said that education is the most powerful tool in preventing diseases and promoting better health across the world. He said that educated woman knew where and when to seek for healthcare services for her herself and the children which would consequently improve the life of the family.
The Minister made this known on Wednesday, 5th December, 2018 in Abuja while speaking at the “All Things Medical Conference and Exhibition” organized by Daily Trust limited in partnership with Prompt Home Health, Professional Healthcare in the Comfort of the Home, with a theme “Building a 21st Century Healthcare System”
Adewole said education was critical in influencing health and healthy behavior of the General public. “When people are educated, they are empowered, they are liberated. You do not need to tell them where to go when they need help”
The Minister therefore called on Ministry of education at all levels to encourage female education. He urges parents and care givers to allow female children to enroll in schools..
The Minister explained the 2018/2019 budget of the Federal Ministry of Health is geared towards socio-economic development of the country. He said this is in tandem with saying that health is wealth.
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The Minister said healthy population provides qualitative and quantitative services that improve economic development of the country.
Speaking on the concept of “Health System”, the Minister said health system was more than mix of facilities and medical consultations rather it was actually a structure within which people, institutions and organizations interacted to mobilize and allocate resources for preventing and treating diseases and injuries.
“There are three critical factors that make a health system: Human resources, commodities and the data” he said if these three were not there it was not a health system.
The Minister said strengthening a health system usually take long time, therefore, efforts must aligned with the country’s needs and donors must be coordinated adding that everyone involved must be committed to a long-term process.
The Minister further explained that the Federal Ministry of Health was strengthening capacity to deliver cancer care to Nigerians. He noted that in 2017 the Ministry offered free surgery to 10,000 Nigerians and currently the Ministry was offering 250 free cataract surgeries in every state.
The Minister commended the organizers of the event and promised to partner with Daily Trust limited in subsequent activities. The Minister urged the organizers of the event to forward the outcome of the meeting to his office for possible consideration and implementation.
