The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has urged the relevant stakeholders to roll out policies that would support oral health integration into primary healthcare facilities in the state.

The State Secretary of NMA, Dr Abubakar Kaka Sanda, disclosed this during a weekly one-hour program (Atambayi Likita) with the theme “Affordable and Accessible Dental Care: Bridging the Gap for Our Communities” on Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, in Maiduguri. 

According to him, he explained that the choice of the topic was to create awareness and attention of all relevant stakeholders to take decisive actions.

He underscored the importance of access to affordable and qualitative oral care, affordability of oral care and improving health equity amongst the populace.

“Currently the provision of basic oral care is not a key component during implementation of primary healthcare. Primary healthcare tends to serve as an easy route for people to access healthcare.

“Unfortunately, the challenge is in implementing policies of provision of oral care into primary healthcare.

“When this is done, it would go a long way in addressing key issues in access to oral care, ensuring affordability and upscaling health equity amongst people.”

Dr Sanda commended the state government in its efforts in improving access and affordability of healthcare, calling on all relevant stakeholders to ensure all citizens, irrespective of whatsoever background, should benefit from accessible and affordable oral care.