NHEA boosts health sector with awards, wants rivalry to accelerate development

If Nigeria’s healthcare system is to develop, stimulating healthy rivalry among health practitioners and rewarding efforts and achievements are keys to reversing the decay in the sector.

A partner in Anadach Consulting Group, California, United States, Dr. Enoma Alade,, on Friday stated this in a presentation on Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award with the theme “Celebrating Nigeria Healthcare Champions” held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to her, the NHEA award which is an initiative of Global Health Project and Resources (GHPR) in partnership with Anadach Group USA, is an annual event which recognize and celebrate outstanding personalities and organisations for their extraordinary contributions to healthcare development in Nigeria.

Speaking on the selection process, Chairman Jury Board, NHEA 2016, Prof Audu Idrisa revealed that over 1600 entries were received for consideration from over 80 companies and individuals in virtually all the states of the federation for the 23 categories of the award. He stated that the awards had gained local and international recognitions in view of the rigorous process involved. He therefore appealed to the losers to continue to work hard to win in the nearest future.

The organisers grouped the awards into four sections namely Special awards, Healthcare delivery services, Biomedical technology and Pharmaceuticals.

In the special awards section, the duo of Prince Adelusi Adeluyi, Chairman of Juli Plc and Prof Olu Akinyanju, past President of the Association of Physicians of Nigeria, won the Lifetime Achievement Awards. Dangote Foundation emerged the Outstanding CSR Health Project of the year. While the Ondo State Trauma and Surgical Centre was recognized as the Outstanding State Healthcare Programme of the year.

Ifijeh Martins of This Day newspaper was picked for the Healthcare Media Excellence Award-Print while Habibat Basanya of TVC was chosen for the Electronic Media category. In addition, Diamond Bank Plc emerged as the Healthcare Friendly Financial Institution of the year.

In Healthcare Delivery Services categories, Reddington Hospital, Lagos emerged the Private Healthcare Provider of the year while Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) was named the Tertiary Health Provider of the year.

However, the award for the Private Laboratory Service of the year went to Pathcare Laboratories. In Health Maintenance Organisation of the year category, Total Health Trust (A member of Liberty Holdings, South Africa) clichéd the prize. Similarly, Sproxil Nig. Ltd was duly recognized as the Innovative Healthcare Service Provider of the year while Bridge Clinic, Lagos made the IVF Service Provider of the year.

Meanwhile, Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, Abuja was named the Dialysis Service Provider of the year. Eye Foundation Hospital received the Eye Care Service Provider of the year award. Smiles 360 Dental was also named the Dental Service Provider of the year. Ageless emerged winner in the physiotherapy service category.

Nwaobi Jude Chiedu (Nursing World Nigeria, Port Harcourt) received the Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Award of the year while Realms Healthcare Services Consulting Ltd won the Healthcare Information Technology Provider category.

In Biomedical Technology category, JNC International Limited clichéd the Biomedical Engineering Service Provider award while DCL Laboratory Product Ltd, Abuja won the Laboratory Equipment Marketing Company category. Likewise the Hospital Equipment Marketing Company of the year went to Swiss Biostadt Limited.

The standout performers in the Pharmaceutical category are as follow. Healthplus Pharmacy emerged Pharmaceutical Retail Outlet winner while Mopson Pharmaceutical Ltd clichéd the Pharmaceutical Operation Excellence (Manufacturing Companies). May and Baker received the Excellence in Pharmaceutical Research and Development award.

Speaking on receipt of his Lifetime Achievement Award, Adeluyi, charged the organisers to use character as the cardinal yardstick for evaluation for selection in the award process. While expressing his appreciation for the honour, Adeluyi quipped that he was happy to have live a long and a good life.

In an interview with The Guardian, Emmanuel Matthews of Reddington Hospital, Lagos who was visibly delighted that his hospital won the Private Healthcare Hospital provider of the year for a record third time attributed the secret of their success to driving quality, efficiency, and putting the patients first.