By Oluwafunke Ishola
The Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP) emphasises that prioritising citizens’ health and creating a supportive environment for private health professionals are crucial steps toward building a resilient economy.
This assertion was made by Dr Jonathan Esegine, Chairman of the ANPMP Lagos State chapter, during a news conference in Lagos ahead of the association’s Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference.
Esegine disclosed that the conference has the theme “Building Resilient Private Healthcare System in Lagos State: A Strategic Driver of Public-Private Collaboration, Economic Stability and Governance”.
He emphasised that the theme was germane to proffering sustainable solutions to the myriad of challenges facing Lagos State and the country’s health sector.
According to him, building a robust economy hinges on ensuring the populace are healthy through a virile private health care system.
He stressed that the private health sector must be given the desired attention and support to thrive.
“Private medical professionals operate under harrowing conditions from indequate infrastructure, multiple taxation, poverty among the populace, insecurity to dearths of health personnel.
“In spite of these conditions, we still provide 70 per cent of the medical needs to the populace.
“We have been doing this in the past 104 years.
“Those of us who are remaining in the country, we are still willing, but we need the government to appreciate and support us by providing a conducive environment so that we can function more efficiently.”
The chairman highlighted the effect of high cost of electricity tariffs and fuel on hospital services, noting that efforts are ongoing to ensure their inclusion in the recently approved electricity subsidy of the government.
He noted that the conference seeks to educate and share experiences of new development in the sector that impacts on their practices as well as service delivery.
“We will also discuss impact of government policy, both at the state and local level and the influence of the economy on our services.
“Also, relevance of information technology in driving healthcare systems and general improvement of Quality Assurance System.”
Similarly, Dr Tunji Akintade, Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the conference, said the theme seeks to draw attention to the dire conditions of citizens.
Akintade noted that the bleeding health sector was threatening the health and well-being of citizens with its attendant impact indirectly affecting productivity.
“We are giving services to close to 70 per cent of the population. In other states, it’s higher than that.
“In that wise, government should be looking at a situation where they cover a lot of our tracks.
“Government have done it before when the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria was on government’s neck, they subsidised importation and production and the impact was felt at the grassroots.
“In fact, there was a rule that if you are setting up an industry, you get five years tax-free,” Akintade said.
He lamented that same incentives and support from government was yet to be given to private medical professionals who are entrusted with providing life-saving intervention to a large percentage of citizens.
Akintade urged the government to collaborate with private health professionals toward improving service delivery and strengthening the nation’s health system. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
Published By
