The Federal government has been advised to discourage the use of public funds by government officials to travel overseas for medical check up, urging the relevant authorities to develop the health sector to encourage medical practitioner and the profession.

The national chairman of the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), Dr Omo Ejijele Odafem, made this call, in Akure, on Wednesday, during the opening ceremony of 37th Annual General Meeting of the association, saying government should promote policies that will not be inimical to the development of the profession.

Odafem also urged government to encourage private medical entrepreneurship by discouraging multiple taxes, and over taxation while periodic training should be organised for the private doctors; saying the association offers social service to people.

He said the association will always be ready to create synergy with the government at all levels to help in infrastructural development, in order to ensure that the generality of people receive medical service at affordable fee.

The chairman also advocated for the establishment of world class standard hospitals with modern and sophisticated equipments and commended President Goodluck Jonathan for putting in place a committee to see to the establishment of such office.

He said the world class hospitals would be unveiled immediately after the reelection of President Jonathan, saying this will help to sharpen medical practitioners in the country.

He said the 37th AGM tagged, “Mother and Child Health, the Ondo state Experience” is relevant to the state, saying the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has been championing health cause in the state.

“We are proud of Dr Mimiko. He is one of us, a medical practitioner who has distinguished himself. He has been showcasing what a medical doctor can do in administration. He has shown the world that doctors have the ability to administer better.

“He has stepped down the highly abysmal indices of mother and child and made health services affordable in the state. We are proud of his achievements.”

He, however, called on government to provide adequate security for medical practitioners, saying medical doctors are always target of kidnappers and armed robbers, saying the association has been hit times without number.