FG urges medical directors to involve in health reforms

The Federal Government of Nigeria through Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, had impressed on the Guild of Medical Directors to involve in the health reforms in the country

Dr. Ehanire who stated this during the inaugural leadership and business summit of the guild held in Abuja, urged the guild to invest in sustainable collaborations and networks that will attract funding in and outside the country to scale their medical businesses.

The minister noted that there is a need for a permanent and continuous communication link between the Federal Ministry of Health and the guild as key stakeholders in health care delivery in the country.

He added that Federal Government should review the issue of actively leasing out some of its facilities to be managed by the private sector in the Public-Private Partnership arrangement.

This was contained in a communique signed by the GMD’s National President, Dr Raymond Kuti, and the Assistant General-Secretary, Dr Abimbola Silva, and made available to newsmen in Abuja.

The guild quoted the minister as saying that “Although the Federal Ministry of Health as the policy-making body, may not directly offer financial aid to private medical facilities, there needs to be a permanent and continuous communication link between the FMOH and the GMD, as key stakeholders in Health care delivery in Nigeria.

“In order for the NHIS (now NHIA) to be successful, the key providers of health care need to be effectively involved with the operational guidelines of such Health Insurance.

“The FMOH should engage the private sector by encouraging the aforementioned innovative services and by being the greatest advocate of the GMD to lead to the reversal of medical tourism.”

On his part, the GMD's National President, Dr Kuti said to attain Universal Health Coverage, the guild must be involved and must be active team players in the health care reform in the country.