FG to partner Media Trust on health progs, conferences

The Federal Ministry of Health would be partnering with Media Trust Limited, publishers of Daily Trust newspaper  for its future medical conferences and exhibition programmes. Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole made the promise yesterday during  the second edition of the ‘All things medical conference and exhibition ‘ in Abuja. The conference was organised by […]

The Federal Ministry of Health would be partnering with Media Trust Limited, publishers of Daily Trust newspaper  for its future medical conferences and exhibition programmes.

Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole made the promise yesterday during  the second edition of the ‘All things medical conference and exhibition ‘ in Abuja.

The conference was organised by Media Trust Limited, in collaboration with Prompt Home Health and other partners . It is aimed at showcasing and harnessing Nigerian’s health facilities and services, as well as chatting discussions on improving the country’s health system.

The minister commended Media Trust for the conference saying it was a necessary platform for change in the health sector.

“We want to thank the Media Trust for putting this together. Daily Trust is really helping and I think this type of programme will galvanize what the country needs, and will also help to move the health system forward. We hope that this will not be the first and the last . Usually starting during the first requires a lot of efforts but making regular programme requires more efforts and we want to assure you that during subsequent ones we will partner with you so that we are really part of the organization.

“Let me thank you for eliciting discussions on the healthcare system in Nigeria. It is my hope that this conference will stimulate interest and support for a better healthcare in Nigeria,” he said.

The minister also commended Media Trust for the theme of this year’s conference ‘Building a 21st century health care delivery system in Nigeria: The way Forward’ he described it as  futuristic and also a recognition of the fact that we are not satisfied with status quo.

Prof Adewole said the country need to look beyond building facilities, saying the  critical things that make up health system are human resources, commodities , drugs and vaccines.

He said a health system is more than a mix of facilities and medical consultations, and  actually a structure within which people, institutions, and organizations interact to mobilize and allocate resources for preventing and treating diseases and injuries.

While saying that funding was critical to quality health system , he said  one of  the things government has done to improve the country’s health  system is putting in place the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and appropriating N55 billion in the 2018 budget  .

He said government’s targets improving primary healthcare services in the country and is putting measures in place so that for the first time primary healthcare centres will get money  directly. He said  45% will be channelled  through the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), 20% to vaccine commodities  , 15 % for repairing facilities, water and electricity,and  10% human resources.

While enumerating the federal governments achievement in repositioning cancer care with reducing maternal mortality among others, he said the Federal Ministry of Health under his watch was laying the foundation for an upgraded responsive healthcare delivery system. “We are very confident that within the shortest possible time we will begin to reap the fruits,” he added.

Chief  Operating Officer of Media Trust Limited , Abhay  Desai  said Nigeria has garnered quality facilities and medical personnel over the years that the citizenry can harness instead of  engaging in medical tourism.

While saying that medical doctors in Nigeria are as good as anywhere else in the world , he said it was important for the country to celebrate its indigenous services and personnel.

He said Media Trust organised the conference in collaboration with Prompt Health and other partners to create, a platform where stakeholders  could address the future of medical problems, issues in Nigeria and plan towards giving the country a 21st century healthcare service delivery

“To my understanding, what this means  is making health care available for all. Daily Trust is committed to make sure that we spread and we let people know what is available in this country, we should start with Nigeria first and if required in worst cases we go to other places,” he said.