The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, highlighted the impressive performance of Federal Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria, attributing their success to improved funding from the Federal Government. His remarks came at the end of an oversight visit to Federal Government-owned healthcare institutions in Lagos.
Dr. Alausa emphasized the critical role that Federal Tertiary Hospitals play in safeguarding the nation’s healthcare delivery system. According to the Minister, these hospitals have stepped up to provide essential services to Nigeria’s burgeoning population, effectively preventing the collapse of the healthcare system.
The Minister stated, “This is a bright spot in our healthcare system. Our Federal Tertiary Hospitals are doing well, thanks to adequate funding from the Federal Government. We are committed to supporting them by unlocking potentials in the sector through improved governance and funding to further enhance their services.”
The Minister noted that beyond funding of the country’s tertiary hospitals, the government is also actively collaborating with various state governments to enhance their capacity to provide high-quality healthcare services to their respective populations.
Referencing the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, Dr. Alausa said, “This hospital compares to whatever hospital you can get in the world. With all the constraints that we have in the country, they are providing amazing services for our citizens at subsidized care.
“Patients coming here do not get to pay economy price for the cost of care that they are getting. The government is subsidizing it, and if you are getting this kind of care in a subsidized manner, this is extremely good care.
“I am extremely impressed and must commend the Medical Director, Dr. Adedamola Dada, for his passion and hard work, this takes hard work and commitment. It takes a lot of energy to put an edifice. A hospital like this that functions well and delivers every kind of service for our people deserves a lot of commendation.”
At the National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi, (NOHIL), the Minister, while stating that Igbobi is distinct in dispensing healthcare services to the people of Lagos State, added that the hospital’s diagnosis centre and amenity ward is one of the best in the country.,
He said, “As the immediate past Chairman of the Board of Management, I can say, the hospital is a model and has set a lot of pace in service delivery, and we will reciprocate what we are seeing here in several of our teaching hospitals. We will work patiently and with time, get everything on your wish list accomplished.
“Minister Pate and I have been mandated by President Bola Tinubu to work in providing a set-up to develop, rebuild and revitalize the healthcare delivery system in Nigeria, and to provide comprehensive care to each citizen of this country. We are committed to actualizing that.”
The Medical Director, FMC Ebute-Metta, Dr. Adedamola Dada added, “One area we need support is human resources capacity, we have quite a number of completed infrastructures that we need to staff so that more services can be delivered to Nigerians in those service areas.”
The Minister announced plans to visit other states in the coming weeks, furthering the government’s commitment to improving healthcare services and facilities across the country.