Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, has urged public health institutions across Nigeria to prioritize digitization of their clinical services and operations as part of efforts to enhance healthcare quality for all Nigerians. During his oversight visit to several hospitals in Lagos—including the Federal Medical Centre Ebute Metta, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, and National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi—Salako praised the achievements of these facilities while stressing the importance of digital innovation in healthcare.
Digital Innovations and Government Support
Salako commended the FMC Ebute Metta for its exemplary operations, particularly its paperless system, which he described as remarkable. He highlighted that the digital innovations at the facility have positioned it as a leader in the government’s agenda to reduce medical tourism. The Minister also discussed the federal government’s commitment to addressing pressing healthcare challenges, such as cancer care and kidney dialysis.
As part of the government’s initiatives, he announced that dialysis costs had been significantly reduced from N50,000 per session to N12,000, due to government interventions. He also emphasized the importance of expanding cancer treatment facilities and raising awareness.
Expansion of Healthcare Facilities
Salako mentioned the government’s efforts to tackle the challenge of bed space in Nigerian hospitals by establishing eight new Federal Medical Centres and teaching hospitals across the country. These additions, he said, would ease pressure on existing healthcare institutions and improve patient care.
Mental Health and Infrastructure Challenges
During his visit to the Yaba Psychiatric Hospital, Salako acknowledged the need for improvements in mental healthcare and reassured the hospital of support, particularly through the implementation of the recently signed Mental Health Bill. This bill aims to improve mental health services and establish a mental health department within the Federal Ministry of Health. Salako also mentioned plans to introduce a Vulnerable Support Fund in the 2024-2025 budget to assist indigent mental health patients.
Despite these positive developments, the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Igbobi and other facilities expressed challenges, including aging infrastructure, energy supply issues, and limited capacity for patient care and training. The National Orthopaedic Hospital reported a reliance on alternative energy sources, such as solar power, but noted that these were insufficient to meet the high energy demands of the hospital’s specialized equipment.
Progress at Federal Medical Centres
At FMC Ebute Metta, the Medical Director, Dr. Adedamola Dada, shared how the hospital had expanded its capacity from 72 bed spaces to 450 beds, alongside an increase in operating theatres from three to 12. He credited this transformation to a well-executed roadmap and an efficient use of resources. Additionally, FMC Ebute Metta became the first public health institution in Nigeria to attain Level 4 certification under the international SafeCare Assessment Programme.
Call for More Resources
The Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Dr. Olugbenga Owoeye, also urged the government for enhanced funding to address persistent challenges, such as inadequate power supply and staff accommodations. He emphasized the need for a purpose-built drug unit to meet growing patient demands.
With ongoing efforts to expand healthcare infrastructure and prioritize mental health, these developments reflect the government’s commitment to improving the nation’s healthcare system while addressing critical gaps in service delivery.
