Former Chief Medical Director Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof Chris Bode has stressed the need for government to make healthcare attractive in order to encourage those that have gone abroad return home.
Speaking at Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) Annual Conference 2023 in Lagos, recently, he said healthcare funding should be universal, judiciously managed, fair to service providers and professionals.
With theme: “Building Sustainable Health Systems in Nigeria,” he described healthcare financing as a big elephant, adding, “We need to turn healthcare into a vibrant business that will attract those that have travelled abroad to return to Nigeria.”
He said, “Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) must be the bedrock, well designed and there must be creative action.” He also stressed the need to factor the vulnerable, adding about 83milllion people are in that space. He identified the vulnerable as, women, children, elderly and persons with disabilities.
“We need to stay committed. We must monitor compliance with standards and regulations. Universal health coverage is important, poverty allocation programme must be addressed— Electricity, water, housing and employment must be provided.”
Chairman, Platform Capital, Dr. Akintoye , said government cannot do it alone, adding that the power of the private sector must be leveraged.
In her welcome address, Head Policy and Programmme PSHAN, Dr. Anne Adah-Ogoh, said there is need to leverage partnerships across the healthcare value chain. He described a healthy population as the bedrock of any society.
Managing Director, PSHAN, Tinuola Akinbolagbe, said PSHAN is a not-for-profit, business-led organisation founded to improve Nigeria’s healthcare system by mobilizing resources and capabilities to provide accessible, affordable, and first-rate healthcare solutions to everyday Nigerians.
Recognising that the government cannot do it alone, she said PSHAN adopts a coordinated, nationwide multi-stakeholder approach to create transformative health outcomes.
