By Comfort Ogbudu
Ado Ekiti
Amid rising mortality and morbidity rates in Nigeria, Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has urged his colleagues in the National Assembly to prioritize health sector development.
Representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Bamidele emphasized the need for substantial investments to enhance access to quality healthcare and complement efforts by state governors.
Bamidele made this appeal on Monday in Efon Alaaye during the launch of the second phase of his Free Medical Outreach, an 11-day program targeting constituents across the five local government areas of Ekiti Central Senatorial District.
The first phase of the outreach saw 6,600 beneficiaries receiving treatment for various ailments, including hypertension, diabetes, hepatitis, and hernia, among other life-threatening diseases.
Speaking through his Senior Legislative Assistant, Hon. Gbenga Banji, Bamidele reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring no Nigerian dies from treatable diseases. He stressed the urgency of improving public health facilities and services to mitigate preventable deaths.
“No Nigerian should die from any treatable disease,” he said. “Unfortunately, we often witness avoidable deaths due to financial constraints, lack of facilities, and inadequate access to quality healthcare. Leaders must take proactive steps to fortify health systems and make healthcare accessible to all.”
Bamidele commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for equipping primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities in Ekiti State with advanced equipment and skilled personnel, aligning with the Universal Health Coverage agenda.
On the second phase of the outreach, Bamidele explained that the initiative was expanded in response to overwhelming demand from constituents who could not benefit from the initial phase.
“Our people are often forced to contend with diseases that could be treated easily if they had access to care,” he remarked. “It is disheartening that Nigeria’s life expectancy remains at 55.44 years. We must work tirelessly to improve this figure, ensuring our people live healthier lives and enjoy the fruits of their labor.”
The Senator urged residents of the district to take full advantage of the program by visiting designated centers to receive free medical services and guidance from health experts.