Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state in North Central Nigeria, has ordered the closure of all substandard Medical Centres as part of measures improving health care facilities in the State.

The governor stated this on Thursday in Minna, the state capital during the flagged off of the distribution of 3.7m insecticides and treated nets.

The governor said the state government has made huge investments and commitments in the delivery of healthcare services over the years which is evident in the gradual reduction of Malaria prevalence in the state.

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello who further mentioned that the state Primary Health Care Development Agency has been strengthened to cater for the health need of the people in the state, added that Niger State government is working assiduously to ensure that all residents in the state have access to qualitative and affordable healthcare services at all levels.

The Nigerian Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, represented by Dr Usman Abubakar, Medical Director(MD), Federal Medical Centre, Bida, said the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Niger state government and the Roll Back Malaria partners have put measures in place to achieve successful ITNs mass campaign in the state.

While appreciating all the relevant stakeholders in the fight to combat Malaria, the minister appealed to the traditional and religious leaders to assist in encouraging people to sleep inside the net every night, saying that all hands must be on deck to ensure a Malaria-free Nigeria.

The Federal Government says it has concluded arrangements to provide free healthcare services for 83 million vulnerable Nigerians.

The General Manager, National Health lnsurance Authority (NHlA), Ilorin zone, comprising Kwara, Kogi and Niger States, Mr Adelaja Abereoran disclosed this during a chat with newsmen in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The Federal Government’s decision followed the realisation that most vulnerable Nigerians lack the wherewithal to access the health services they needed.

“There is a plan by the federal government in the new reviewed Act of the National Health lnsurance Authority (NHlA) to provide free medical treatment to over eighty three million vulnerable Nigerians to alleviate their sufferings,” Abereoro said.

He called on the state governments to complement the efforts of the federal government by establishing health insurance agencies to enable more people access quality healthcare delivery services across the states.

According to him, Nigeria cannot achieve a comprehensive healthcare delivery without the support of the states and other stakeholders in the health sector.

Abereoro also called on states and federal lawmakers to include health insurance scheme in their constituency projects to cater for their constituents health needs.

He noted that the services of the scheme have been updated in consonance with global best practices, stating that the scheme now covers general medical check up.

The General Manager said under the reviewed Act of the scheme, corps members are eligible to free healthcare services from the day of their mobilisation till the end of their service year, including those who carry pregnancy during the service year.

Nigeria’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora has advocated the development of Traditional Medicine as key to affordable drugs in the country.

Dr. Adeleke stated this during his familiarization tour of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency(NNMDA) in Lagos.

In a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Press and PR, Mr. Atuora Obed, the Minister noted that the traditional medicine has in ages addressed issues of health and the establishment of medical plant market where original plants and seeds can be made available for professionals to process and produce drugs will effectively support the quest for provision of adequate drugs in health care centres across the country.

The Minister charged the Agency to protect the intellectual property of the scientists so as to a avoid being pirated by others.

Dr Adeleke commended the Agency on its achievement of construction of office blocks, establishment of various laboratories, experimental pesticide plant farms in the six geopolitical zones of the country despite paucity of funds.

He charged the Agency to not only depend on government funding but to also collaborate with other organizations and philanthropists as well commercialize its products for further internally generated Revenue.

The Minister thereby enjoined the management and staff to continue working as a team in order to fulfil the desired goal and progress of the nation.

The Director-General of NNMDA, Dr. Samuel Oghene Etatuvie noted that, “The Agency has made remarkable strides in the areas of research, promotion of cultivation of medicinal aromatic and raw materials amongst others.

“NNMDA has produced standard, affordable and safe medicines used in treating hypertension, glaucoma, live stock tick disease and many others through discoveries and have since sent to NAFDAC for proper processing necessary for final production, packaging and consumption”

The DG however, lamented the poor funding that has retarded the progress of processing strategic equipment, proper training and retraining of officers, expansion of research and Innovation (R&I) thus appealed for improvement in funding the Agency.