FG considers better healthcare for Nigerians

Minister of State for Health, Joseph Ekumankama, has called for collective efforts to bridge the gap in accessing quality healthcare delivery.

In a statement following the commissioning of projects at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute-Metta, Lagos, he said one of the challenges crippling the sector was the lack of adequate facilities.

Ekumankama said inputs from stakeholders would bridge the gap in accessing quality healthcare delivery, adding that moving the country’s healthcare forward requires the intervention of government, private organisations, donor agencies and individuals.

“One of the major challenges responsible for brain drain in this country is due to facilities. So, we look forward to intervention from the private sector, development partners and individuals because the government cannot do it all alone,” he clarified.

The projects include an orthopaedic and trauma centre, molecular building complex, clinical training centre, oxygen gas plant, ultra-modern main theatre and powerhouse.

The minister commended the medical facility for being “a pacesetter in innovations and use of technology in healthcare.”

He added: “This hospital has substantially contributed towards a positive image for our government and has won several awards and commendations, including being the first Federal Government hospital with Safe Care Level Four in Nigeria. The hospital is also on the verge of launching its pin-hole endoscopic surgery programme.”

Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer of the FMC, Dr. Adedamola Dada, said the project reiterated that the projects were to improve access to quality healthcare delivery in the country.

He appreciated the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire and Ekumankama for their leadership and support in actualising the project in record time.

The hospital boss appealed to the Federal Government to support the medical facility in some of the projects being executed, stating that bed space remains a major issue.

“With the support from the government, we want to build four floor blocks that will increase our bed space by 75 beds, our theatre to nine and our out-patient room by another 12 consulting rooms. This will help us to serve outpatients more,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman, Board Management of the hospital, Ishola Balogun-Fulani, said the mutual relationship between staff and management was responsible for the transformation of the organisation.

He said the hospital, in line with global healthcare best practices, upgraded its clinical services from registration, consultation, prescription, laboratory requests and results, patient notes and event payment systems digitally.