The Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP), National Assembly Abuja, on Tuesday described the Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr. Raji Abdulrazaq, as the best Commissioner for Health in Nigeria.

Mr. Abdulkareem Abdulkareem, the President of the NYP, who spoke during the award said Abdulrazaq has been exceptional in the handling of COVID-19 pandemic in the state despite the state government meager resources.

He observed that the world and Nigeria, in particular, is facing a humanitarian and healthcare crisis as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Abdulkareem, who is also the Chairman House Committee on Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development of the NYP, explained that an assessment of response strategies to COVID-19 by all the state governments was done.

He explained further that based on the performance of each state government on the distribution of palliatives to the grassroots, the Kwara commissioner for health was found to have successfully fulfilled the criteria.

According to him, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory have huge fundings from the Federal Government, however, the Kwara government has become exceptional despite their meager resources to manage in the fight against the pandemic.

Abdulkareem also observed that before the present administration, the healthcare system, especially at the primary healthcare, was in deplorable condition, adding that the commissioner within six months of appointment has turned the healthcare around.

He described the commissioner as having a passion for the health of the grassroots in Kwara.

Accepting the award, Abdulrazaq said the fight against COVID-19 is a team effort, adding that most of the gratitude should go to Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for revamping the health sector.

The commissioner also praised the efforts of the State COVID-19 technical team and all the healthcare workers in the state.

He noted that Kwara is ranked fourth in its effort on the fight against the deadly pandemic, adding that the state is among the few states to procure the necessary gadgets to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him, the state government has since commenced the renovation of 27 primary healthcare centers across the state and having the vision of revamping the state’s health sector to reduce health tourism outside the state and the country.

“The state government has employed 73 doctors in this COVID-19 pandemic to boost efforts in the healthcare,” he said.

Razaq commended the NYP for the award and advised them to dream big and aspire to be in positions to bring about the desired change in the society.

Speaking earlier, Mr. Bashir Jimoh, the Chief of Staff of NYP, explained that in line with the regulatory committee in Abuja, the youth organization visited Kwara a few months earlier, to assess the situation and efforts put in place to fight COVID-19.

He added that the health of rural grassroots people was paramount and must be prioritized, adding that is what the commissioner is passionate about.

Jimoh stated that the award is not for sale but a commendation for good work and dedication to grassroots healthcare while charging other commissioners in the country to take a cue.