The Nigerian Medical Association in Oyo State and other stakeholders, including people living with HIV/AIDS, have called for government intervention following the withdrawal of public health funds by USAID.
The respondents spoke separately with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan, yesterday Recall that the Donald Trump-led administration recently withdrew America’s funding of public health programmes, including HIV/AIDS initiatives, through USAID.
The state chairman of NMA, Dr Happy Adedapo, said the withdrawal would, no doubt, make things difficult to cope with.
Adedapo said the impact of the withdrawal would be felt more by patients and public health workers in many related organisations or agencies.
“Many would lose their jobs and patients undergoing treatment for malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis would, definitely, be affected because they won’t be able to access free medication and even vaccination.
“Maternal and childhood mortality indices will all be affected.
“So, the government should come to the aid of the people,” he said. The medical practitioner urged the government to actualise its promise to mop up health workers who might have lost their jobs to this action. “This should go beyond mere pronouncement and result into action.
“We got to know the lawmakers added N300 billion to the 2025 budget appropriation; there should be implementation, and a monetary team instituted to ensure the money gets to the targeted audience.
“The country is already battling with the ‘Japa’ syndrome, so, the government should do all it promised to do to reduce the migration.
“The withdrawal is a call for the leaders in Africa to stand up to their responsibilities rather than waiting for aid from giant nations,” he said.
Adedapo urged the government to make the Nigerian environment conducive for local investors to produce the drugs locally.
Meanwhile, he advised the government to reach out to nations of the European Union (EU), appealing to them to support Africa.
“With the way America has sidelined Africa, the door of Africa should also be opened to other foreign countries that have the means, giving them the chance to expand their geo-political frontiers.
“We have some raw materials and mineral resources that some of these nations can need. We can work out an agreement with them for partnership.
“The pharmaceutical sector is encouraged to wean the country out of importation; we have some modern agricultural resources where some of these pharmaceutical products are derived.
“The government can get some Indian and Chinese experts to man them for us as we produce locally; countries like China will be more than willing to do what President Trump stopped,” Adedapo said.
However, Dr Francis Sanwo, Medical Director, Our Lady of Apostles Catholic Hospital, Oluyoro, Ibadan, called for an improved health budget, even at the state level.
