Dr. Goodluck Jonathan
The Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has called on the developed nations of the world to improve on their commitment to mutual financial obligations towards fast tracking the attainment of the millennium development goals (MDGs) particularly in Africa's health sector.
The President who stated this at the just last G-8 Summit in Muskoka, Canada said that the primary health sector in Africa is still plagued with major challenges that could be redressed if development partners particularly members of the G-8 countries would meet mutual financial commitment contained in the 2005 Gleneagles Agreements.
He noted that less than half of the funds promised by development partners by the end of this year have been delivered. “The weakness of primary health care system and limited referral institutions remain crucial challenges facing the health sector in Africa.”
Using Nigeria as a case study, President Jonathan said the challenges of reducing infant mortality by two-thirds and maternal mortality by three-quarters by 2015 still remain daunting, despite Government’s increased efforts at boosting health infrastructure in the country.
He listed the intervention of the Federal Government in the primary health care system to include new incentives to attract medical personnel such as qualified midwives to rural areas as well as increased sensitization campaigns against unfavorable religious and cultural beliefs.
He however identified that poor funding and management of government resources as well as poor health seeking behaviors that bother on religious and cultural beliefs still impede the attainment of health goals.
President Jonathan then urged the G-8 to consider 100 % cancellation of debts for African countries and the establishment of joint funds for MDG 4 and 5 as priority actions to help coordinate and improve the MDG programs at sub-regional levels in Africa.
No comments:
Post a Comment