By Davies Iheamnachor

PORT HAR-COURT—The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has advocated  the introduction of Universal Health Coverage to improve health care delivery of the nation.

NMA also urged government at various levels to treat health care delivery with utmost seriousness, adding that healthcare should not be taken as an opportunity cost for other sectors.

Rivers State chapter of NMA made the demand at a Town Hall meeting as part of its Nigerian Medical Association 58th Annual General Meeting and Science Conference tagged, “Health Care Delivery in Rivers State.”

Speaking during a panel discussion in Port Harcourt yesterday, former Commissioner for Health in the state,  Dr. Sampson Parker, noted that it was worrisome that government was giving less attention to healthcare, calling for improved budgeting for health.

He said: Universal Coverage for healthcare delivery is key. It includes education and proper budget and not being selective.

“It is about removing financial burden in health care from the people. We must have strong institutions and policies to achieve it. There must also be the political will to have universal coverage.”