Vice President Kashim Shettima declared that potential investments totalling more than $4.8 billion have been drawn to the federal government’s healthcare initiatives. Speaking during the opening of Sahad Hospitals in Abuja, Shettima stressed the necessity of cooperation in the industry in order to overcome obstacles and advance the system. With a comprehensive plan that tackles high prescription drug costs, lengthy hospital wait times, and a scarcity of medical professionals, the government is committed to reviving the healthcare industry. Shettima emphasized how crucial Private Sector participation is to expanding access to healthcare.
He praised the contributions made to healthcare by Alhaji Ibrahim Mijinyawa, the founder and chairman of the Sahad Group of Companies. The new hospital, which demonstrates the benefits of private investment, was hailed by Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, as a turning point in Nigerian medical industry. In an effort to give thorough and compassionate care, Dr. Shamsuddeen Aliyu, Vice Chairman of Sahad Hospital, highlighted the modern amenities offered by the establishment, which include a 200-bed capacity, seven operating rooms, thirteen dialysis machines, and a 10-bed intensive care unit.
Funding for the healthcare industry should be increased.
There is a chronic scarcity of medical workers in Nigeria, with only 4 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants, compared to the global average of 15 per 10,000. Long wait times, an excessive patient load, and a decline in care quality are the results of this shortfall. For example, average hospital wait times in large cities in Nigeria can be more than four hours, which is much longer than the one-hour global norm. This puts a burden on patients and medical staff.
Shettima emphasized that the administration has implemented extensive changes to address these enduring problems. Funding for healthcare should be increased, training programs should be expanded to generate more medical professionals, and digital health solutions should be implemented to expedite processes and shorten wait times. A new regulatory organization entrusted with overseeing these reforms will assess their progress and guarantee sector-wide accountability. Asserting the importance of private sector engagement in enhancing medical accessibility, the Vice President complimented the Sahad Group of Companies for their Investment in the field.
Enhancing the system will lower the costs of medical tourism.
Medical professionals at Sahad Hospital agreed with Shettima, pointing out that the hospital’s cutting-edge amenities have greatly enhanced patient care. “We’ve seen a significant decrease in wait times and an increase in the calibre of care we can offer,” the hospital’s senior consultant, Dr. Amina Ibrahim, stated. Positive comments from patients have also been received; several have expressed gratitude for the hospital’s contemporary amenities and the staff’s kind demeanor. Economically speaking, it is anticipated that these investments and changes in healthcare will have a significant positive impact, creating jobs in the industry, which presently employs only 5% of Nigerian workers.
According to government projections, this percentage might rise to 10% in the next five years with consistent investment, resulting in the creation of thousands of employment for support personnel, healthcare professionals, and others in connected industries. Enhancing the medical system will also probably lower the costs associated with medical tourism, which now costs Nigeria’s Economy $1 billion a year due to its inhabitants travelling overseas for medical care. The government has set long-term objectives to fortify the medical industry going forward.
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In order to provide top-notch knowledge to Nigeria, government should begin developing collaborations with foreign healthcare providers, expanding the number of hospitals and clinics in underprivileged areas, and improving the standard of medical education. A $2 billion plan to construct specialized facilities for cardiology, Cancer treatment, and other vital services that the nation currently lacks is one of the potential investment options that the government is investigating. All Nigerians will have access to high-quality healthcare thanks to these reforms, which reflect a revolutionary vision for the country’s medical system. Nigeria may make substantial progress toward a healthier future with sustained investment and a cooperative strategy between the public and private sectors.
Hotlinks
Sahad Hospitals https://www.sahadhospitals.com/
Medical Education https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_education