By Ifeoma Ikem

The Medical Director, Krown Hospital, Dr Olukayode Akinlade, has called on the Federal Government to address the issues affecting the nation’s healthcare delivery with urgent attention so as to always save lives.

Akinlade made the call during the Ordinary General Meeting and Scientific Conference of  the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos

Speaking on the theme, “Health on Next Level Agenda”, Akinlade stressed the need for more funding of the healthcare system to strengthen the healthcare delivery system of the country.

” Our health service should not be ignored but government should make it a priority for optimum benefit of the general public as it will also generate wealth and add value to our socioeconomic growth as a nation.”

The guest speaker noted that any functional healthcare financing system must be accessible and affordable which are key elements to measure growth.

He further stated that the creation of an enabling environment for increased private sector and community involvement in service provision and finance were key factors for an improved health system.

According to him, the public sector has a crucial role to play in ensuring equity and access to good quality medications for those in greatest need.

“Also rural and remote areas do not usually attract propositions for profit making enterprises without significant public sector incentives. However, possible strategy for this is the accreditation of private healthcare providers to serve patients in communities, who will depend on public sector through a public private partnership.

“Government should proffer solution on how private sector can partner for the overall benefit of all Nigerians.Also professional bodies are important to operate within public health institutions in providing diagnostic and other services that will add value to our healthcare delivery processes,” he stressed.

The chief host and chairman of the occasion, Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof Adetokunbo Fabamwo, lauded the effort of the Association of Residents Doctors across the country for always being at the forefront.

Fabamwo stated that they are the workforce of the every hospital and need to be taking because a consultant will come after consulting patients they left .

He advised the resident doctors to remember that the knowledge acquired as residents Doctor can not be taken away from them.

Also speaking at the occasion,  Dr Fatai Balogun, the LASUTH ARD president, said the theme of the conference was a product of  a thoughtful consideration of the state of healthcare delivery and the birth of a new regime in the country.

Continuing, Balogun said the theme was aimed at setting an agenda for the health system in Nigeria.
” We have new sets of governance both in the federal and state levels; we think this is the appropriate time to let government know what the challenges are in the health sector.

“We shall ensure that recommendations of this gathering reach the policy  and decision makers of our state and country for consideration even as we set the agenda for the next commissioner and minister of health.”