Health
Building more hospitals won’t make healthcare affordable — Experts
Stakeholders in the health sector have called for healthcare reforms that prioritise access to quality and affordable care for all Nigerians beyond building more hospitals.
They noted that the success of any transformation in the healthcare sector should be measured by how easily Nigerians can obtain effective treatment when they need it.
They spoke at the Healthcare Communications Group’s 40th anniversary and the launch of ‘Making Nigeria’s Health Great’, a 25-chapter blueprint for healthcare transformation, authored by the founder of HCG, Dr. Bola Olaosebikan.
The book presents a practical roadmap for building a healthcare system that is available, accessible, affordable, equitable, and inclusive for all Nigerians.
It also calls for stronger collaboration among government, the private sector, communities, and development partners to create a health system capable of delivering better outcomes and supporting Nigeria’s social and economic development.
Speaking at the event, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Prof. Lere Baale, said that building more hospitals alone will not transform the healthcare system in Nigeria.
“The real measure of healthcare transformation is not simply the number of hospitals we have, but whether ordinary Nigerians can access quality care when they need it, regardless of their location or economic status,” he said.
Baale, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Business School Netherlands International, stressed that reforms must improve service delivery and ensure that facilities are adequately equipped and staffed.
He urged the government and healthcare stakeholders to place patients at the centre of healthcare reforms, policies and investments.
The pharmacist noted that improving health outcomes requires stronger investment in healthcare workers, equipment, financing and access to quality care.
“The transformation of Nigeria’s healthcare system must go beyond building more facilities or increasing funding.
“We must build a system driven by knowledge, innovation, technology, ethical leadership and institutions that are capable of delivering sustainable impact,” Baale said.
According to him, a healthy nation is built when we deliberately connect policy with practice, knowledge with innovation, and leadership with accountability.
“Healthcare transformation requires all of these elements to work together,” the don said.
Baale urged the government, private sector and clinicians to partner in improving healthcare delivery.
“We cannot transform healthcare in isolation. Government, the private sector, healthcare professionals, academia, technology innovators, communities and development partners must see themselves as partners in building the health system that Nigeria deserves,” he said.
Furthermore, he advocated wider adoption of technology to improve healthcare delivery.
“Digital transformation, artificial intelligence and data-driven decision-making are no longer optional if we want to create a healthcare system that is responsive, efficient and prepared for the future,” Baale said.
Giving more insight, the founder of HCG and author, Dr. Bola Olaosebikan, said the book was centred on a seven-pillar transformation framework.
He listed the framework to include factors, manpower, services, infrastructure, financing, management and innovations.
“The framework recognises that meaningful healthcare transformation requires a coordinated approach involving government, healthcare professionals, the private sector, communities, development partners and other stakeholders,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria’s healthcare challenges require not only financial investment, but also visionary leadership, strong institutions, accountability, innovation, collaboration and a commitment to sustainable development.
“The ultimate vision presented in the book is a healthier Nigeria where every person can live a longer, productive and dignified life.
“Good health is not a privilege; it is a right. Building a healthier population is consequently fundamental to achieving a more productive, resilient and prosperous Nigeria,” Olaosebikan said.
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]