Legislators want comprehensive health centre

The Kogi House of Assembly has called on the State Government to establish a comprehensive health centre in the assembly premises for legislators and staff.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Alfa Rabiu (APC-Ankpa II), at plenary session in Lokoja on Friday.

The assembly, through the motion adopted by a voice vote, urged the state government to properly equip and post enough and qualified manpower to the health centre.

Soliciting support for the motion, Rabiu said the existing clinic in the assembly established by the 5th Assembly was incapacitated by dearth of equipment, medical and health personnel.

He said the clinic, in its present condition, lacked good facilities and equipment to provide the basic health needs of the legislators and staff.

“Notwithstanding the senior matrons, nurses and other support staff, the clinic lacks equipment and personnel to treat critical, specialized and time-bound emergencies, should they occur”, he said.

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According to him, the clinic at the Government House is equipped to a large extent with enough consultants, resident doctors, ambulances and other supporting facilities and conveniences.

Rabiu said in the interim, the state Ministry of Health, should, as a matter of urgency, post consultants and resident doctors, including basic medical equipment, to the clinic.

Seconding the motion, Godwin Osiyi (PDP-Ogori Magongo), said it was shameful that the only medical doctor in the entire assembly was the legislator representing Ofu Constituency.

Supporting it, Dr Friday Ali (PDP-Ofu), said, “as high profile public officers, legislators and staff of the assembly should be provided with a comprehensive medical facility.”

The Speaker, Umar Imam, before putting the motion to vote, remarked: “this is a motion that concerns all of us; members and staff alike. This call is overdue.”