Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who stated this during the biennial general meeting of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, Ondo State chapter, held in Akure, capital of the state, also noted that tuberculosis had posed a serious challenge to the health sub-sector in the state.

The meeting was themed, Emerging trends in communicable diseases: Drug-resistant tuberculosis as a case study.

The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Sunday Abegunde, said his administration had made the health of the people one of its  top priorities.

He added that the state government had built a public health laboratory and an infectious diseases hospital where tuberculosis and other infectious diseases were being treated.

He said, “Tuberculosis has been a great challenge in developing countries, particularly in Nigeria where about 400,000 cases have been diagnosed. Out of these cases, about 20,000 are drug-resistant. Ondo State has 16,000 cases, with 800 cases being drug-resistant.

“The gestures of some non-governmental organisations and international partners have gone a long way to complement the efforts of our administration in reducing the burden of tuberculosis in the state.”

In his remarks, the state chairman of the NAGGMDP, Dr Iyanda Busari, lamented the dearth of qualified doctors in government-owned medical centres.  He called on the governor to improve the condition of health care facilities in the state.

“More doctors are still needed in our health facilities to meet up with the health needs required by the people of Ondo State. We need the assistance and commitment of the governor,” he pleaded.