Sen Bassey Solicits for Establishment of Special Hospitals
The National Assembly Caucus Chairman in Cross River State, Senator Gershom Bassey, has solicited for the establishment of six special hospitals in the six geopolitical zones of the country to improve healthcare delivery and attract medical tourism into Nigeria.
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Bassey, who represents Cross River South Senatorial District in the Senate, also perceived that the just established Navy Hospital in Calabar, is world class and called for adequate financing through budget provision by the Federal Government.
In an interview with newsmen in Calabar, Bassey, a governorship aspirant, said, “There should be a minimum of six special and well-equipped hospitals in the six geopolitical zones of the country and whatever we can do to improve healthcare in our country is welcomed.”
He stated that it is time to raise the country’s health sector to an international standard but also noted he would not subscribe to the idea of banning political office holders, including the president, from going abroad for medical treatment as a way of boosting the health system, saying: “It is unconstitutional. However, I would expect that if facilities are available and meet international standards, then all leaders, starting with whoever is the sitting President, would lead by example by patronising such facilities.”
He added that the Navy Hospital “can be made the equivalent of the Walter Reed Hospital in the United States. This is the hospital all us, presidents use exclusively. It could stem the tide of medical tourism abroad.”
Recall that Bassey had, in his contribution at the Senate Committee on Appropriation forum recently, made a case for additional funding for the Navy Hospital, stating that the original intention was to make it “to be the equivalent of the Walter Reed Hospital in America.”
Christine/guardian
