Aso Rock plans to commercialise State House clinic for revenue

The Presidency is set to commercialise the State House Medical Centre (SHMC) to enable it provide qualitative and efficient services to the public.

This came amid mounting allegation of misappropriation and withholding of funds meant for medical supplies in the Centre.‎

The facility currently offers free medical services to patients.

The Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr. Jalal Arabi, who gave the indication yesterday, said the decision of the management to seek the commercialisation of the Centre, among others, is to boost its revenue and augment the appropriation it receives from the government in the quest for qualitative service delivery.

In a statement signed by Deputy Director of Information, Attah Esa, Arabi said: ‘’The Centre is the only health centre in Abuja where patients are not required to pay any dime before consultation.

Arabi said the proposed reforms would ensure that those eligible to use the Centre are NHIS-compliant with their Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) or primary health providers domiciled in the clinic.

The Permanent Secretary also dismissed allegation of misappropriation and withholding of funds meant for medical supplies in the Centre, saying: “I know people will insinuate and give all sorts of reasons because they don’t ask but it will be foolhardy and madness for anybody in his senses to defraud a medical centre.”