In an effort to fortify healthcare delivery in Nigeria, the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (NWAN) and other stakeholders have encouraged medical practitioners to collaborate.
At the Women in Medicine, Health, and Wellness conference of the association, which was held in Abuja on Thursday and was themed “Strengthening Networks for Prompt Diagnosis and Care,” the experts made this appeal.
The event was organised in conjunction with Focus Africa.
The conference, according to the National President of the organisation, Rosemary Ogu, is intended to improve patient care by fostering collaborations.
In order to achieve optimal results, Ms. Ogu posits that collaboration and knowledge-sharing are indispensable. She further explains that by “combining our respective expertise and insights, we can leverage our collective strengths to produce superior results and enhance patient care.”
Mrs. Adedolapo, the Mandate Secretary of Health and Environmental Service, emphasised the government’s efforts to ensure an improved healthcare outcome when discussing healthcare provision at the grassroots and universal health coverage.
“We have endeavoured to expand our capacity training opportunities,” she stated.
“In addition to acquiring medical equipment and instrumentation from our numerous development partners, including USAID, DFID, UNICEF, and the World Bank, we are also acquiring new ideas, innovative medical practices, and the most effective methods for early diagnosis and treatment.”
The primary healthcare system in the FCT is notably robust, with an impressive 362 primary healthcare centres serving a population of less than 5 million, she added.
She further elaborated that the FCT health insurance scheme has made substantial progress, including the recent extension of free coverage to all pregnant women and their infants for the first year of life and the registration of vulnerable individuals.
The health outcomes have been positively influenced by these initiatives, which have contributed to a decrease in maternal mortality, she observed.
According to her, the FCT is on the brink of achieving improved health outcomes and reduced maternal mortality rates due to its inclusive insurance coverage and robust primary healthcare infrastructure.Fasawe Adedolapo, an official with the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA), observed that health campaigns have been implemented at the grassroots level, with a focus on the significance of prevention over treatment.
The FCT community has fully embraced the message, as she stated that the tireless advocacy and health promotion efforts have yielded positive results.Mrs. Adedolapo emphasised the government’s initiatives to guarantee improved healthcare outcomes.
“We have endeavoured to expand our capacity training opportunities,” she stated.
“In addition to acquiring medical equipment and instrumentation from our numerous development partners, including USAID, DFID, UNICEF, and the World Bank, we are also acquiring new ideas, innovative medical practices, and the most effective methods for early diagnosis and treatment.”
The primary healthcare system in the FCT is notably robust, with an impressive 362 primary healthcare centres serving a population of less than 5 million, she added.
She further elaborated that the FCT health insurance scheme has made substantial progress, including the recent extension of free coverage to all pregnant women and their infants for the first year of life and the registration of vulnerable individuals.
The health outcomes have been positively influenced by these initiatives, which have contributed to a decrease in maternal mortality, she observed.
According to her, the FCT is on the brink of achieving improved health outcomes and reduced maternal mortality rates due to its inclusive insurance coverage and robust primary healthcare infrastructure.Networking for health
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Ipalibo Banigo, also emphasised the importance of networking in order to achieve the most sustainable and optimal healthcare outcomes in the country during her remarks.
The senator for the Rivers West Senatorial District, Mrs. Banigo, underscored the importance of collaboration among healthcare personnel, institutions, and communities.
“The ability to network is indispensable in our globally interconnected society.” We must ensure that no one is excluded and that knowledge, resources, and best practices are shared, she stated.The disparities in accessing healthcare must be bridged by leveraging the strengthening of networks. Due to their status as the grassroots, we are unable to abandon the communities.
Enhancing Health Care Delivery
President Bola Tinubu declared in 2023 that his administration is prioritising the enhancement of Nigeria’s healthcare sector by significantly increasing financing and making substantial investments in the proposed 2024 budget.
In Abuja, the President reiterated his dedication to the provision of high-quality healthcare, a critical component of his “Renewed Hope” agenda, during the signing of the Health Renewal Compact and the introduction of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
Mr. Tinubu underscored the critical role of primary healthcare in the establishment of a robust and integrated healthcare system. He also proposed a comprehensive overhaul of primary healthcare infrastructure, equipment, and personnel development, which will commence in 2024.
The objective of the initiative is to fortify the foundation of Nigeria’s healthcare system and guarantee equitable access to quality healthcare services by improving the capacity and efficacy of frontline health workers.
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