Lagos Anglican diocese: Medical tourism liable for poor health sector

The Diocese of Lagos West of the Anglican Communion has decried the increasing rate of medical tourism among government officials in Nigeria, urging government at all levels to invest in the nation’s health facilities.

The diocese made this known via a communique issued at the end of the third session of the 8th Synod of the diocese held at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos State from May 18 to Sunday, May 21.

In the communique which was signed by the Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Revd. Dr. James Odedeji, the Synod Secretary, Ven Olukayode Oredugba, and the Lay Synod Secretary, Olateju Akindolurie, the diocese noted that the prevalence of foreign medical tourism among government officials is responsible for the parlous state of health institutions in the country.

The diocese, while condemning the prevalence of foreign medical tourism amongst government officials, urged the government to seek more innovative ways of funding and improving the country’s health sector.

It also enjoined the drug regulatory bodies to intensify their fight against the scourge of fake and adulterated drugs in the Nigerian markets, noting that the preponderance of fake drugs in the country has to a large extent caused the untimely death of many Nigerians.

It further called on the government at all levels to intensify the campaign on healthy living among Nigerians.

Speaking on the 2023 general election, the diocese, said the elections were held against all odds.

It, however, congratulated the outgoing President, Muhammadu Buhari, for completing his tenure just as it commended the President for assenting to some constitutional amendments, especially the ones that allow the states to deal with electric power and railway.

The diocese urged Buhari to go a step further by implementing the recommendations of the 2014 Constitution Review Committee.

It further congratulated the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, adding that the 2023 elections afforded the Nigerian youths the opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the situation in Nigeria.

While lamenting the economic downturn in the country, the Lagos diocese “calls on the government and all policymakers to always consider the implications of their policies on the people, as laws are made for man and not man for laws.”

It, however, condemned the “hydra-headed” insecurity in the country, calling for “the setting up of an independent commission based on wide consultations with all relevant religious organizations, to curb the excesses of some religious organisations, such as hate speech and incitement.”

The diocese, therefore, congratulated Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on his re-election at the 2023 governorship election, urging him to use his second term to extend infrastructural development to the rural areas of the state and complete all ongoing projects.

The Star