Soludo: Nigeria’s Magical Miracle Centres Threat To Health Care

Prof. Charles Soludo, a former governor of the Central Bank of
Nigeria, says magical miracle centres can be a stumbling block to
having and supporting an effective health system in the country.

Soludo, therefore, called for a collective response in tackling poor
healthcare systems, poverty and other major challenges facing the
country.

Soludo made the call at the 26th Annual Lift Above Poverty
Organisation Development Conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said, “We must think through how to mobilize our churches, mosques,
traditional and professional institutions as forces for good in
healthcare delivery.

“These constitute the largest forum to reach the largest segment of
the population.

“Most of the leaders in these organizations will easily understand and
cooperate.

“But some, especially some of the magical miracle centres which feed
upon the Siamese challenges of the most vulnerable, poverty and
ill-health might feel challenged.”

According to him, public policy cannot be effective without the
citizens being demanding and vigilant, noting that individuals and
non-state actors accounted for about 75 percent of healthcare
expenditures.

The former CBN governor said added that a sustainable strategy of the
future was how to mobilize this dominant but latent force to transform
the delivery system.

Soludo added, “However, the conversation must begin and ultimately,
the dominant force of science and reason will triumph over
superstition and ignorance.

“Once the citizens become conscious of the fact that they will only
get the quality of healthcare they persistently demand and
conscientious leaders emerge to organize and mobilize action for
change, the healthcare delivery system won’t be the same again.”