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| Prof. Adewole Folorunsho |
Folorunsho, who is one of the ministerial nominees, made this known during his screening at the National Assembly on Tuesday.
The nominee, who described health indicators in Nigeria as worrisome, also said that more than 40,000 women died during pregnancy and delivery yearly.
He expressed worry that Nigeria was one of the countries with the largest number of newborns with HIV.
“A foremost reproductive health expert once asked why we treat our women and children as disposables,’’ he said.
He said if confirmed as a minister, he would be committed to preventing maternal and infant mortality as well as HIV/AIDS and cancer.
Folorunsho called for concerted effort by relevant stakeholders to improve the health status of women and children as well as that of men.
According to him, conscious effort must be made to tackle the multifarious problems in the health sector, particularly with regards to women and infant mortality in the country.
“We should also create platforms to educate women to say no to sex.
“About 40 to 50 per cent of abortions carried out are because of deformed pregnancies.
“The life of the Nigerian girl is very important; they need proper education on unregulated pregnancies,’’ he said.
Folorunsho also expressed his readiness to mobilise funds to the health sector as well as ensuring training and re-training of health personnel.
The ministerial nominee also noted that upgraded medical facilities would reduce the number of Nigerians rushing outside the country to seek medical help.
Speaking on the recent ranking of Nigerian universities, the Vice Chancellor said they were not as bad as portrayed.
Citing the University of Ibadan for instance, he said that it had witnessed massive transformation under his watch.
“I will always refer to the universities as our nation’s heritage and we have been able to raise the bar of excellence,” he said.
Vanguard
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