Minister lauds Federal Tertiary Hospitals for saving healthcare delivery
By Edward Samuel, Abuja
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa has lauded Federal Tertiary Hospitals saying it has saved healthcare delivery system from collapse in the Country.
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Alausa made this known at the end of his oversight visits to Federal Government owned Health Institutions in Lagos, were he revealed that he was excited and very impressed by what he had seen at various institutions during the course of his visit.
“Beyond whatever is happening, this is a bright spot in our healthcare system, our Federal Tertiary Hospitals are doing well, the Federal Government is now adequately funding them, even though I know some will ask for more.
“We at the Ministry of Health are committed to supporting them by unlocking potentials in the sector through improved governance and funding to further enhance their services,” he said.
The Minister said beyond funding of our tertiary hospitals we will also be working with various State Governments to help them improve the capacity and care they continue to deliver to our citizens.
In reference to the Federal Medical Centre Ebute-Metta, The Minister said, “This hospital compares to whatever hospital you can get in the world. With all the constraints that we have in the country, they are providing amazing services for our citizens at subsidized care.
“Patients coming here do not get to pay economy price for the cost of care that they are getting. The government is subsidizing it and if you are getting this kind of care in a subsidized manner, this is extremely good care.
“I am extremely impressed and must commend the Medical Director, Dr. Adedamola Dada, for his passion and hard work, this takes hard work and commitment, it takes a lot of energy to put an edifice, a hospital like this that functions well, it delivers every kind of services for our people, and it deserves a lot of commendation,” he added.
At the National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi, (NOHIL) Alausa disclosed that Igbobi is distinct in dispensing healthcare services to the people of Lagos State.
he also said, diagnosis centre and the amenity ward at the hospital is one of the best in the country.
“As the immediate past Chairman of the Board of Management, I can say, the hospital is a model and has set a lot of pace in service delivery and we will reciprocate what we are seeing here in several of our teaching hospitals. We will work patiently and with time, get everything on your wish list accomplished.
“Minister Pate and I, have been mandated by President Bola Tinubu to work in providing a set-up to develop, rebuild and revitalize healthcare delivery system in Nigeria and provide comprehensive care to each citizen of this country and we are committed to actualizing that.”
The Minister of State, will be visiting other States in the next several weeks.
The Medical Director, FMC Ebute-Metta, Dr. Adedamola Dada said he is excited about the suggestions given to him by the Minister, and solutions proffered, and looks forward to more support to enable the hospital deliver better and more care to Nigerians.
“One area we need support is human resources capacity, we have quite a number of completed infrastructures that we need to staff so that more services can be delivered to Nigerians in those service areas,” he said.
The Medical Director, NOHIL, Dr. Mustapha Alimi who highlighted the progress and challenges of the hospital, decried the state of some of its facilities, with some wards being as old as 60 years, which the hospital is struggling to maintain. He appealed to the Federal Government to look into the rehabilitation of such wards as well as other challenges.