Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State chapter, has said that the current economic woes are affecting every sector of the economy, including the healthcare system.
The body has, therefore, sought a special ‘Health Bank’ that can offer one-digit loans to hospital managers to enable them to cope with the current economic realities.
Speaking during an interview with The Guardian, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, the State NMA Chairman, Dr Ebbi Robinson, disclosed that though nobody would shy away from the current economic woes, and despite the hike in prices of goods and services, the healthcare delivery system has maintained its prices.
He said: “To sustain this, we need special banks that will facilitate low-interest rate facilities for hospitals. Let there be a health bank where we can access loans for an improved healthcare delivery system.
“Most hospitals have not increased the cost of services, I have the statistics, I did the findings, and I am sure of this. This is because we know that health is critical.”
“No hospital has abused the current economic situation, because we tend to manage the economy. If there are things that the patient wants to buy, and the prices have gone up, he will be notified.”He applauded the proprietors of hospitals and doctors for managing the current situation.”
