The Guild of Medical Directors (GMD) on Sunday called on the Federal Government to seek ways to expand the coverage of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

A statement signed by Dr Femi Dokun-Babalola, National President of the Guild, in Abuja also stated that the government should find indigenous ways to engage the existing primary facilities.

He said the coverage should be particularly in the private sector.

“In the United Kingdom, most people live within a few miles of a well run Primary care facility, with good connections to secondary and tertiary facilities.

“This should be our overall objective in bringing the objectives of the NHIS scheme to fruition in the lives of many of our country men.

“Our country is now 57 years old and it is incumbent on us to find solutions to our own problems that are at once practical and responsive to our peculiar situation.”

“There is need to critically reflect on the state of the country’s healthcare system; there is little doubt that adequate and comprehensive health care is still out of the reach of the majority of our citizens.

“More Nigerians continue to seek medical treatment abroad, occasioning the loss of billions of dollars to the economy, at the expense of the country’s national pride.’’

Dokun-Babalola said with the cooperation on all sides, it should not be difficult for the country to attain greatness and dreams as a nation.

“I congratulate the good people of Nigeria on the occasion of the celebration of the 57anniversary of independence.

“We wish the country and her citizen’s present happiness and future prosperity”, he said. (NAN)