The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has called for a more integrated and collaborative healthcare system in Nigeria, emphasizing that teamwork across various health disciplines is crucial for delivering high-quality, cost-effective patient care.
This call was made during the hospital’s 5th Scientific Conference, which brought together medical experts, researchers, and stakeholders to deliberate on the theme: “Multidisciplinary Approach to Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria.”
The event underscored the urgent need for Nigeria’s healthcare system to adopt modern, integrated care models aligned with global best practices.
Speaking at the conference, Consultant Nephrologist and Head of the Dialysis/Transplant Unit at St. Nicholas Hospital, Dr. Ebun Bamgboye, described the theme as timely and necessary.
He stated that his experience managing patients had revealed how collaboration across professional lines significantly improves outcomes.
Bamgboye pointed out that one of the major barriers to successful healthcare delivery in Nigeria is professional rivalry.
“You find that doctors and nurses, doctors and pharmacists, doctors and radiographers are sometimes caught up in petty, unnecessary rivalries. This leads to prolonged or unnecessary care, poor outcomes, and increased costs,” he explained.
He stressed that harnessing the roles and resources of each professional group, rather than working in silos, would ensure better and faster care for patients.
He also addressed the need for leadership in multidisciplinary teams, stating that leadership should be based on competence and not just a professional title.
Touching on renal healthcare, He raised concerns about the state of end-stage renal disease management in Nigeria. According to him, the lack of government support has led to out-of-pocket expenses for most patients, contributing to poor outcomes.
He then called on the Nigerian government to emulate countries like Kenya and Sudan, where patients receive significant support for dialysis and post-transplant medications.
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Iwosan Investments Limited, Mrs. Fola Laoye, also lent her voice to the need for integrated care. Laoye described the conference as the right approach not just for the future of healthcare but for our present reality.
She explained that patients now present with multiple co-morbidities, necessitating collaboration between different specialists and care providers.
“From doctors to nurses, pharmacists, and lab officers, everyone has a role. That’s why fostering collaboration is essential,” she emphasized.
In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Professor Wasiu Adeyemo, reinforced the significance of teamwork in healthcare.
“Medical practice has always been a team science. But with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, it’s even more crucial now,” he said.
According to Adeyemo, the hospital’s management actively promotes a team-based approach and continuously encourages staff and students to prioritise collaboration.
