In a bid to reduce the burden of trial consultations in our tertiary/specialist health facilities, the Federal Government says it is committed to partner the West Africa College of Surgeons (WACS) on all fronts to deliver quality health to Nigerians.
Isaac Adewole, minister of health, said this at the commissioning of the WACS permanent secretariat, last week in Lagos.
“He, President Muhammadu Buhari, launched this initiative this year, and we have started the journey to attaining Universal Health Coverage. The Federal Government of Nigeria is supporting each state on maternal and child health (MNCH) programme through the Save one Million Live programme.
“Each of the 36 states was given $1.5 million grant to upgrade their basic health care delivery with intention to give more if they could demonstrate improvement of their health indicators,” Adewole said.
The minister said, “Nigeria launched the Better for All Programme tagged Rapid Result Initiative, it involves offering free medical and surgical screening and treatment for poor Nigerians.”
According to Adewole, “All Federal Teaching Hospitals and Medical Centres in Nigeria are participating in this laudable programme. Corporate organisations and development partners are supporting us in providing test kits for screening of chronic medical disorders.”
He noted, “We are upgrading seven tertiary health facilities in Nigeria for cancer care; we are specifically focusing on upgrade of radiotherapy, and the Ministry is discussing with two big vendors to provide machines, training and maintenance opportunities. Corporate organisations such as NSIA, SNEPCO and NDDC are planning to support different centres aside FGN interventions.
“I appeal to other WACS members in both public and private to support FGN on this project. We are open to collaborate with WACS in our RRI programme.
“Another area of focus of this federal administration is our commitment to reverse medical tourism in Nigeria.”
