The Federal Government has called for improved leadership and operational efficiency within Nigeria’s federal tertiary hospitals.
Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja.
Alausa spoke during the 107th Regular Meeting of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria (CCMDFTH).
Speaking at the quarterly meeting, Alausa outlined the critical roles that hospital leaders played in the nation’s healthcare system, urging them to prioritise patient care and satisfaction as key performance indicators.
He said that hospital chief executives would no longer be assessed primarily on infrastructural development but on the efficiency of hospital operations, clinical outcomes, and the overall patient experience.
“Leadership in the health sector goes beyond managing resources, it requires inspiring teams to deliver the highest quality of care.
“The era when the performance of hospital chief executives was judged solely by infrastructural development is over.
“Today, reduced waiting times, cleanliness of our facilities, the attitude of our staff, and most importantly, clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction are the benchmarks by which you will be assessed,” he stated.
The minister also highlighted the importance of utilising existing hospital infrastructure to immediately improve patient care.
He said that while the development of permanent hospital sites was important, current resources must be maximised to meet the immediate needs of Nigerians.
He announced the creation of the National Tertiary Hospitals Standards Committee, tasked with ensuring that hospitals adhered to the highest standards of care.
He emphasised that compliance with these standards was not optional but essential for achieving the ministry’s goals.
In a bid to further enhance operational efficiency, the minister revealed that the government had approved the subsidisation of power for federal tertiary hospitals.
He said that the move would significantly reduce operational costs and allow hospitals to redirect saved funds towards improving patient outcomes.
He also noted that the process for obtaining staff employment waivers had been streamlined within the ministry to address staffing needs more swiftly.
He addressed the ongoing challenges posed by strikes in the healthcare sector, particularly by resident doctors, urging hospital leaders to ensure that patient care remained uninterrupted during such industrial actions.
He reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the health sector, noting that the current health budget was the highest in the nation’s history.
He called on hospital leaders to demonstrate that they were up to the task of delivering on the ministry’s goals, thereby, ensuring that Nigeria’s healthcare system becomes a model for the rest of Africa.
Prof. Emen Bassey, Chairman CCMDFTH, expressed satisfaction with the proactive and hands-on approach of the current minister of health, praising recent federal interventions aimed at addressing critical challenges in the health sector.
During an interactive session, Bassey highlighted the significance of the minister’s efforts, particularly his willingness to engage directly with hospital administrators and health workers across the country.
“We are always very happy to have the minister in our midst. He has a very hands-on approach to management, visiting different hospitals, interacting with us, and offering solutions to our problems,” he said.
One of the major issues discussed was the ongoing power supply challenges faced by tertiary hospitals.
He acknowledged the minister’s role in advocating securing improved power solutions, which he believed would significantly alleviate operational costs and enhance service delivery, especially for indigent patients.
“Thanks to the diplomacy and advocacy done by the minister and other officials, there is light at the end of the tunnel. This intervention will go a long way,” he said.
The forum also addressed the critical issue of staff attrition, with Bassey highlighting the high rate of resignations among healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and physiotherapists.
He called for a more streamlined process for obtaining waivers to replace departing staff, which would help maintain the quality of care provided by hospitals.
He also touched on the recent strike action by healthcare workers, acknowledging the government’s efforts to resolve the underlying issues.
“A lot of work is being done, even though these issues still exist. We are very happy with the interventions of our ministers in our various hospitals,” he said.
On the topic of public-private partnerships within the healthcare sector, he said that private sector involvement should be focused on enhancing hospital operations rather than diverting resources away from public healthcare priorities.
He cited ongoing efforts to ensure that these partnerships were beneficial and cost-effective for the hospitals involved.
He expressed optimism about the future of healthcare under the current leadership, emphasising the importance of continued collaboration between the government and hospital administrators to tackle ongoing challenges and improved healthcare delivery.(NAN)
