bank will partner government and relevant private sector organisations
to provide modern facilities in the heath sector and sponsor research on
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in the country.
Emefiele stated this on Friday in Asaba during a condolence visit to
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta at the Government House, Asaba, following
the death of Pa. Arthur Okowa on Jan. 28 and the Majority Leader of the
state’s House of Assembly, Mr Tim Owhefere, who died a day earlier.
He said that the bank intervention would provide sophisticated health
facilities in the country to address healthcare needs of the people.
He noted that such intervention had become necessary in view of the
widening gap in the health service provision, adding that it was also in
response to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also disclosed that the Monetary Policy Committee was working to
sponsor research in pharmaceuticals on different diseases, and would in
addition, give funds to private sector participants in the health sector
to build pharmaceutical plants in the country.
The governor added that the bank was ready to fund research on COVID-19
and in medicine and pharmacy so as to elevate Nigeria, “and we are
determined to do this.
“This is a very difficult time not just in Nigeria but also in the
global community where we have seen unprecedented health crises that
devastated the entire world.
“We have decided as the Central Bank to support the efforts of
government; we will do everything possible to ensure that we upgrade the
health facilities in the country.
“We can say with all certainty that in the very near future, Nigerians
will begin to see what the Central Bank is going to do to show that we
really mean what we are doing.
“No doubt, it is not just about building health facilities, but we have
also tried as much as possible to extend various facilities to people
that are interested in upgrading the health facilities in Nigeria.
“We are interested in supporting people who want to build pharmaceutical
plants in Nigeria, and that is the reason I never minced words in
practically all the Monetary Policy Committee meetings. We read out to
the world through the Monetary Policy Committee to help to alleviate the
health crisis in Nigeria.”
Emefiele lauded Gov. Okowa for his giant strides in the development of
Delta, especially in the health sector and pledged that CBN would
partner with him in the task of making healthcare affordable and
available for residents of the state.
Condoling with the governor, he said “your dad had sown great seed not
just in our kingdom but in Ika nation and in Delta as a whole.
“The people of Ika nation and Deltans will miss him dearly. We pray that
his soul and all the faithful departed rest in peace.
“We also condole with you on the passing of Tim Owhefere, the Majority
Leader of State House of Assembly, who was another fine gentleman and
good lawmaker.’’
Responding, Okowa commended CBN for the intervention in the country’s
health sector, saying that any funding that would help to reduce the
widening gap in the health sector was in the best interest of many
families in the country.
He said that the apex bank’s policy on upgrade of health facilities and
agricultural revolution in the country was a move that would enhance the
health of Nigerians and stimulate the nation’s economy.
According to Okowa, health and agriculture remain the mainstay of any
growing economy such as Nigeria and CBN’s sponsorship of research in the
health sector and provision of funds to upgrade facilities in both
public and private hospitals will be a new dawn in healthcare services
in the country.
He thanked Emefiele for identifying with his family in this period of
grief, and said that they had been consoled by the fact that their late
father died in Christ and made positive impact in the society.
He said “as I appreciate you for this condolence visit, I must thank you
for the policies you have put forth through the CBN and the most recent
is funding agriculture.
“I believe that the current policies being made by the CBN are such that
will help to reduce that gap both in the private sector and in the
public sector.”
Emefiele was accompanied on the visit by the CBN Deputy Governor,
Economic Policy Directorate, Dr Kingsley Obiora. (NAN)