Adeleke decries dwindling number of experts in medical field
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has decried the dwindling number of experts in the medical field in Nigeria even as he described them as life-savers.
The Governor made this known on Tuesday at the 9th Annual International Oncology Multidisciplinary team symposium organized by the Department of Surgery, Faculty of Clinical Science, College of Health Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Adeleke, who was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Public Health, Dr Akindele Adekunle, reiterated its readiness to support any innovative ideas that can stem the wave of increasing cancer related diseases in Nigeria.
According to him, “It gives me joy to be here today in the midst of life savers – The Surgeons. It also gives me greater joy that this brainstorming event is holding in our dear state and in this prestigious citadel of learning, the great Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
“It is an interesting time for surgical oncologists in the country and especially in our dear state. The rate of cancer related cases, as you must be aware, is becoming troubling and more troubling is the dwindling number of experts in the medical field to combat the menace.
“Going by the experience of the state government in the recent medical outreach initiated by our government, in which about 55,000 Nigerians in Osun State have benefitted, we cannot but begin to raise a toast to our doctors, especially the surgeons —to pay tribute to them, for your painstaking lane of service to humanity.
“Many who have resigned to fate of early grave were revitalized through surgical interventions performed by our valuable medical officers,
“Many have unconsciously played around with life-threatening lumps until some of your colleagues came to their surgical aid through our government support and bailed them out of their helplessness.
“Therefore, if the state government was able to achieve the target goals so far in the medical outreach or even to do more in days to come in the health sector, it is because we are standing on your shoulders” the Governor stated.
Adeleke further commended surgeons, medical specialist and oncologist for being a life-saver and contributing immensely to the sustainance of humanity through the discharge of their duties and responsibilities and further said the state is ready to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to improve healthcare service in the state and give attention to sensitive medical issues like cancer and other related terminal diseases.
“We salute the oncologists, the cancer specialists, be it medical, radiation, or surgical oncologists. Osun State government under our healthcare agenda, would leave no stone unturned to partner with life saving institutions like this great body, to breath life to dying cells.”
The Governor thereafter challenged the gathering to use the 3 day symposium to center their deliberations around breaking barriers of opportunities for training and grooming more capable hands in order to stem the dearth of medical experts and brain drain in the health sector and also to reduce medical tourism of Nigerians.
