A university don, Prof Akin Osibogun, has disclosed that greater investment in health would boost the sector and enhance national development.
Osibogun, of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (UNILAG), in his lecture at the 2023 Annual General Meeting and third induction ceremony of the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria, also lamented the failure of policymakers to implement recommendations from academic sources.
In his lecture titled: ‘Mainstreaming of health in all sectors for achieving Universal Health Coverage,’ Osibogun stated that more investments in health would bring development to the nation.
According to him, “The more out-of-pocket expenditure plays a dominant role in a country’s health financing mechanism, the poorer its health outcomes. Countries with poor health outcomes are also the countries that are underdeveloped.”
While faulting policymakers on their refusal to implement recommendations from academic sources, Osibogun noted that academies are known for promoting cutting-edge knowledge to advance different aspects of man’s existence.
President of the Academy, Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, disclosed that the body has continued to play a prominent role in addressing the various health and social challenges confronting the country.
“We drafted a comprehensive position paper opposing the proposed bill aimed at restricting the travel of medical and dental graduates. This bill sought to enforce a mandatory five-year service commitment within Nigeria before granting full licenses for practice.”
Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, who was represented by the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, said, “I am delighted to be here today, to participate in this induction ceremony that recognises some of the best brains in our country. We need your charge to use your intellect to work for our country’s development and to make sure that your impact is felt by the people of the country. We look forward to working with you with new creative mechanisms within the education sector.”
