Health

National Hospital Abuja Seeks Public-Private Funding to Boost Healthcare Services

Published

1 week ago

September 3, 2024

The Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Abuja, Muhammad Mahmud, has called for a public-private funding model to enhance the hospital’s operations and ensure optimal functionality.

Speaking during a news briefing on Monday in Abuja to mark the hospital’s 25th anniversary, Mr. Mahmud emphasized the need for hospitals to explore alternative funding sources beyond government allocations. He pointed out that relying solely on government funds is not sustainable for the long-term growth and efficiency of healthcare institutions.

“Hospitals do not have to depend on the government to fully fund their projects. Private funding should be seen as a crucial complement to what the government provides,” Mr. Mahmud said. “We need to bring in Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). From our banks to other financial institutions within the country, this would offer easier access to funding for the healthcare sector. We can also explore collaborations with international funding sources. This PPP model could involve public-private or even private-private funding arrangements.”

The National Hospital, according to Mr. Mahmud, is actively seeking such funding avenues and is reaching out to external donors and philanthropists for support. He urged well-meaning Nigerians, particularly those in influential positions, to contribute to the hospital’s development, highlighting its status as a national pride.

Mr. Mahmud also shed light on the hospital’s financial challenges, particularly the high costs associated with power generation. He noted that a significant portion of the hospital’s revenue is spent on electricity, as many critical medical equipment require continuous power to avoid life-threatening situations.

“The recent intervention by the government to reduce electricity tariffs for hospitals by 50 percent is commendable. This reduction is a welcome relief, but more needs to be done to alleviate the financial burden on healthcare facilities,” he added.

Addressing concerns about the alleged suspension of services to National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) subscribers, Mr. Mahmud firmly denied these claims. He clarified that the hospital has never ceased treating NHIA patients and that they continue to constitute a significant portion of the hospital’s clientele.

“Seventy percent of our patients are NHIA subscribers. We have never, ever pushed NHIA patients away,” he stated.

However, Mr. Mahmud acknowledged that there are ongoing challenges related to the tariffs or premiums paid by NHIA subscribers. He explained that these premiums have not been reviewed for 12 years, despite the rising costs of commodities and services.

“The premiums paid by subscribers do not reflect the current economic realities, which has made it increasingly difficult for hospitals to cover the costs of providing care,” Mr. Mahmud said.

He called for an urgent review of NHIA premiums to align them with present-day economic conditions, ensuring that hospitals can continue to provide quality healthcare without compromising their financial stability.

Health

Mosquito Control: Niger Launches Initiative to Reduce Breeding Sites

Published

17 mins ago

September 10, 2024

Joy Innocent

A mosquito control campaign aimed at reducing the propagation of mosquitoes, which are the primary vectors of malaria has been launched by the city of Niamey, the capital of Niger.
It was announced in a statement by the municipal authorities that the disease usually thrived in unsanitary and stagnant areas.

“To counter this threat, the city’s delegated administrator encourages citizens to take the necessary precautions, including “protecting their food supplies and drinks during the work of the teams.”

It is important to note that malaria is prevalent in Niger year-round, both in rural and urban areas.

It is also one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the country, particularly among children under the age of five and pregnant women, according to officials.

In 2022, the country recorded 5.3 million cases of malaria, resulting in 5,678 deaths, as reported by Nigerien Minister of Public Health Garba Hakimi on the occasion of World Malaria Day.

Health

Kaduna, UNICEF Partner to Reintegrate 200,000 Out-of-School Children

Published

5 hours ago

September 10, 2024

Alvin Terhile

The Kaduna State Government has signed a Contribution Agreement with UNICEF for the Reaching Out-of-School Children Project, aiming to reintegrate 200,000 out-of-school children into the classroom.

At the signing ceremony, Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe emphasized that the project addresses one of Kaduna State’s most pressing challenges – the high number of out-of-school children.

Dr. Balarabe noted that many children, particularly girls, children with disabilities, and adolescents, are excluded from educational opportunities, and the project seeks to reverse this trend and bring transformative change.

The project’s benefits will extend to various stakeholders, including out-of-school children, primary school pupils, teachers, head teachers, and local education authorities.

UNICEF Country Representative Cristian Munduate highlighted the successful enrollment of 49,000 children in the Nigeria Learning Passport, significantly expanding access to quality education across Kaduna State through this collaboration.

The partnership demonstrates the commitment of Kaduna State and UNICEF to improving education outcomes and reducing the number of out-of-school children.

Health

FG Moves To Improve blood Availability with 774 Collection Centres

Published

3 days ago

September 7, 2024

Chijioke Njoku

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish blood collection centers in all 774 local government areas, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This initiative aims to ensure a steady supply of blood for medical emergencies and transfusions.

According to a statement released on Saturday in Abuja by Abdullahi Haruna, Head of Media and Publicity for the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA), the move is part of the government’s efforts to address blood shortages in the country. Prof. Saleh Yuguda, Director-General of NBSA, emphasized the government’s commitment to saving lives through this initiative, which will help bridge the gap in blood availability during critical situations.

“We are working tirelessly to ensure that blood needs are adequately addressed, and this initiative is a significant step towards achieving that goal.

“NBSA has partnered with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to establish a formidable blood bank at the Corp’s medical facility.

“This collaboration aims to mitigate blood shortages during medical emergencies and provide critical support to sister security agencies,” he said.

He explained that to kickstart the blood collection project, the FCT will host strategic blood collection facilities in easily accessible locations.

This move is expected to increase blood donation rates and ensure a steady supply of blood for medical purposes.