Buhari Urges Private Health Institutions To Review Charges Downward

The wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to private health institutions in Nigeria to reduce the high cost of their services.

Mrs. Buhari made the appeal Wednesday while receiving officials of the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria at the State House on courtesy call to her.

She observed that many Nigerians who do not have access to public health services resort to private hospitals which are very expensive and this has implications on not just the patients but the nation’s health indices.

“Private health care is expensive, your association needs to revisit the issue of charges to make treatments affordable so that more people can access your services and health outcomes can improve,” Buhari said.

She also lamented the issue of brain drain in the health sector, saying people travel abroad mostly to be treated by Nigerian practitioners.

She advocated for better working conditions for them so that they are encouraged to remain in Nigeria.

“I also urge your association to check cases of malpractice by private hospitals, which are becoming more rampant,” she noted.

The wife of the President also recommended a Public-Private Partnership, whereby private sector firms can invest in the health sector and reduce the burden on government.

President of the Association, Dr. Frank Odofen, commended wife of the President’s commitment to the health of women and children through the Future Assured Programme, which dovetailed into her recent appointment as UNAIDS ambassador.

He believes with her passion, health care indices will improve in Nigeria.

In her contribution, President of World Organization of Family Doctors, Prof. Amanda Howe, who was on a two-day visit to Nigeria, observed that the pronouncements and programmes of Mrs. Buhari are worthy of emulation as the challenges in the health sector require strong commitment.

She also noted happily that medical personnel embedded in communities in Nigeria are doing wonderful jobs by providing support and preventing diseases through education of families, patients and health workers.