By Odimegwa JohnPeters/Charles Ogili
Lawmakers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament have called for access to affordable healthcare for citizens of the region. This call was made during a visit to some health facilities in Conakry, Guinea, on the sidelines of the Committee’s delocalized meeting.
According to Senator Onyeka Peter Nwebonyi, Co-Chairman of the ECOWAS Parliament Joint Committee on Health, Education, Science and Culture/ Telecommunications and Information Technology| Industry and Private Sector, “Leaders in other West African nations should take a cue from what Guinea has done for its citizens by establishing a world-class hospital that is managed for the good of the people.”
The ECOWAS Parliament joint committee visited the oldest hospital in Conakry, established in 1900, Ignace Deen Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, and the Hopital Nationale Donka Guinea, a newly renovated hospital with state-of-the-art equipment.
Alpha Diallo, President of the Concession Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Donka, highlighted the collaboration with the private sector in building and equipping the hospital, saying, “There are arrangements in the areas of capacity building for citizens of Guinea who are expected to take over when it will be handed over fully to the Guinean authorities.”
Dr. Denis Bernard Richie, Head of Administration of the hospital, expressed satisfaction with the standard of care, saying, “This has put an end to medical tourism, and I would be happy to be treated in the hospital due to the standard set.”
Dr. Dady Balde, Managing Director of the Ignace Deen Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, lamented the lack of renovation, saying, “Despite all these achievements, this hospital is facing a number of difficulties, decaying infrastructure and equipment… We appeal that you strongly support this project for this hospital and let it be at the crux of the Guinean health sector.”
In response, Hon. Orlando Dias Pereira, Co-Chairman of the ECOWAS Parliament Committee, promised to convey their request for renovation and support to the appropriate authorities through the West African Health Organization (WAHO).