Daily Independent (Lagos)
Chesa Chesa
11 November 2008
Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday charged West African medical practitioners to use their expertise to raise life expectancy in the sub-region to at least 65-70 years by the year 2020.
Speaking at the opening of the 32nd Annual General and Scientific Meeting of the West African College of Physicians (WACP) in Abuja, he implored the practitioners to strive to remain on top of new research and medical discoveries to enable them cover a broad range of the health challenges and remain relevant to the work of saving lives.
He stressed the need to continually upgrade medical training standards across the sub-continent, just as he expressed dismay that patients are referred from West Africa to countries such as South Africa, India and Egypt.
"It is disheartening that these days our doctors refer patients from West Africa to South Africa, India and even Egypt. To my mind, you need to show greater dedication to the service of our countries and people. That way the business of saving lives by all means possible can once again be on the front burner of medical practice in West Africa," he said.
Jonathan condemned the migration of West African doctors and medical personnel abroad in search of better remuneration, thus denying the region of its potential.
He, however, commended the efforts of the college towards the training of specialists and other physicians of the highest standards to meet the health challenges of the people of the sub- region.
President of the college, Dr. Roger O. A. Makanjuola, said the college is committed to its role in the promotion of the health of the people of the West African sub-region and provision of quality health services.
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