Nigeria’s Population Exploding, UCH CMD Raises Alarm

Nigeria’s Population Exploding, UCH CMD Raises Alarm

The Chief Medical Director, CMD of the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, has raised an alarm over Nigeria’s increasing population, saying that it has begun to have a far-reaching implication on the nation’s healthcare delivery.

Over the years, we have witnessed tremendous advancements in medicine, technology and patient care. Through it all, our commitment to providing the highest standard of services has remained resolute.”

“Together, we have faced challenges, embraced innovation, and upheld a tradition of compassionate care that defines our institution.”

“The challenges further geared us to ensure that a high standard has to be maintained in the coming years. This is because, the world sees every contribution that we make, and I encourage every one of our staff to be motivated and keep the good faith up as we carry out our duties,” Otegbayo urged.

The CMD, however, called for a renewed focus on reproductive health and family planning as a proactive measure to curb the human population explosion, which he said, became necessary for affordable healthcare services.

Otegbayo made the call yesterday, during a press conference to herald the college’s 66th anniversary celebration, which was held at the hospital’s board room.

According to him, the cost of healthcare services will continue to increase as the economy of the country at present, is not favourable.

He said: “We all know that the economy of Nigeria at this point is not smiling at anybody. I will say the cost of healthcare services will continue to increase because the inflation is just there.”

While proffering a recipe to the situation, the CMD said: “For me, the solution is universal healthcare. In any system, when people pay out of pocket, it becomes unaffordable at a level. The universal healthcare through health insurance is the way out.”

“Secondly, we must get our primary healthcare fixed. If we don’t fix our primary healthcare, there is no way we can fix our healthcare system. And thirdly, we need to reduce our population.”