By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

A member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, representing Abeokuta South State Constituency I, in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Lukmon Atobatele has advocated for increased funding for health sector, by all tiers of government in the country.

Atobatele, who spoke at a free medical and surgical outreach organized by his foundation for residents of the state, held at the Ake palace, Abeokuta, opined that the budget for health sector should be increased, stressing that the country can handle its health problems, if government at all levels see it as priority.

The outreach which had over 2,000 beneficiaries within and outside the state includes treatment for malaria, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, surgery for breast lumps, hernia, cataract among others.

The lawmaker, who spoke against the background of the US policy shifts on the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), commended President Bola Tinubu’s approval of N4.8 billion fund for the procurement of 150,000 HIV treatment packs.

Atobatele said, “as you know, USA that is the chief donor of most of these agencies have stopped giving funds, and President Bola Tinubu has approved some huge amount of money to get drugs for HIV and some other patients”.

“So, with this situation on ground, government at all tiers should redouble their efforts. The budget for health sector should be increased and we don’t need to wait for other agencies to help us, we can do this ourselves”.

Speaking during the outreach, Dr. Olabisi Jagun, a medical professor from in Maryland, USA, encouraged Nigerians to put their health first by getting regular checkups to avoid illness and treat it early if detected.

Similarly, the officer in charge of police medical services, in Ogun Police Command, CSP (Dr) Ihegboro Minachiso, maintained
that Nigerians should never neglect their health in spite of the nation’s economic struggles and urged routine medical examinations.

Meanwhile, Mrs Gloria Okpe, a police officer and Miss Babarinde Stella, who had undergone breast lump surgery, expressed their joy at the procedure’s successful completion, and appealed to urged well-meaning members of the society to imitate the gesture of the lawmaker in order to bring relief to the less privileged.