The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has called for the support of government at all levels and other Nigerians in eradicating measles in the country as was done in the case of ebola and polio.

Reading a communiqué issued at the end of its National Executive Council meeting in Ilorin, Kwara State, yesterday, national president of NMA, Dr Kayode Obembe, said they were in full support of the universal health coverage.

 He added that that had been the focus of the National Officers’ Committee (NOC) of the association and they believed the instrument of the full implementation was through National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

 “NMA is poised to eradicate measles from our country.  We have kicked out polio and Ebola. Everybody should join hands with NMA to achieve this.

Therefore, our physician’s week in October shall focus on measles,” he said.

The medical group also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint a Medical Doctor as the minister for health as well as bringing out of the white paper on Yayale Ahmed Report in order to promote industrial harmony in the health sector.

While expressing delight over the National Health Act that made provision for one per cent consolidated revenue fund through the NHIS while the other 50 per cent goes to the Primary Health Care, the group on lamented the incessant strikes that have bedeviled the health sector, which is due to the fact that circulars issued by the government were not cash backed.