Take active role in governance, Senator Salisu urges medical professionals
Pelumi Olukoya
The Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, Shuaib Afolabi Salisu (Omoyayi), has urged medical professionals and other members of the professional community to take a more active role in governance and public affairs.
Salisu made the call when the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ogun State Branch, led by its Chairman, Dr Sunday Enimola, paid him a courtesy visit at his residence in Abeokuta.
The Senator said professionals should not limit their contributions to their respective fields but should also participate in the political process, including obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), voting according to their convictions and seeking opportunities to serve in government institutions.
According to him, the expertise and experience of professionals are needed in policymaking and governance to ensure that government policies and programmes adequately respond to the realities of the people.
Salisu, who spoke on his own transition from the Information Technology sector into politics, said his professional background had also contributed to his emergence as the first IT professional to chair the Senate Committee on Cybersecurity.
He said the increasing intersection between technology and medicine further underscored the need for professionals in the health sector to acquire relevant digital skills and remain actively engaged with emerging opportunities.
The Senator also used the occasion to highlight some of his interventions in education and healthcare, saying effective political representation should translate into tangible benefits for constituents.
He disclosed that his scholarship initiative currently provides 1,000 scholarships annually to support young people pursuing higher education.
Salisu also said he had facilitated interventions at the Federal University of Medical Sciences, including the provision of a solar-powered cyber station and support for the institution’s Information Technology department.
On healthcare, the Senator said plans were underway for a health insurance initiative targeting at least 5,000 constituents annually, as well as the provision of oxygen concentrators and hospital beds to selected primary healthcare centres across Ogun Central.
He said his intervention during the last strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), when he moved a motion in the Senate seeking emergency funding to address challenges in the health sector, was part of his commitment to improving healthcare delivery.
Salisu further assured the NMA that his office remained open to collaboration on healthcare-related legislation and policies, particularly where professional input could contribute to better outcomes.
Earlier, the NMA delegation and the Senator discussed issues affecting healthcare delivery in Ogun State, including the forthcoming Physicians’ Week, challenges surrounding access to the NMA House at Lukosi, Abeokuta, and the need for stronger collaboration between the association, government and other stakeholders.
The Senator urged the NMA to also intensify its public health advocacy, particularly in the areas of mental health, maternal health, preventive medicine and the reduction of avoidable deaths.
He said doctors could contribute to society not only through clinical services but also by educating communities and helping citizens make informed health decisions.
Salisu also expressed willingness to facilitate further engagement between the NMA, elder statesmen and other influential stakeholders in Ogun State, stressing that dialogue and collaboration remained essential to addressing challenges confronting the state.
He appreciated Dr Enimola and the NMA Ogun State leadership for the visit and assured them of his continued openness to partnerships aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and improving the wellbeing of residents.
