'Patients receiving treatment in a peaceful atmosphere would heal faster'- Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole

Minister for Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole (right); Medical Director Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Dr. Jojo Onwukwe; Chief Medical Director, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, Dr. Chris Amah; and Medical Director, National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu, Dr. Cajetan Nwadinigwe during the one-day visit of the Minister to UNTH

Nigeria's Minister for Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole visited the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State for a one-day visit.



While there, Adewole praised the calm environment when he stated that no organization could achieve progress without peace and unity, stressing that the crowd that welcomed him to UNTH was a practical demonstration that the management team is united, even as he noted that patients who receive treatment under a peaceful atmosphere would heal faster.

According to him “this is my third time of visiting UNTH in the past 15 years as union leader, but this time, the warmth the current Chief Medical Director (CMD) is radiating since my arrival has not been seen anywhere in my visits to other hospitals in the country, and to reward him, funds to enable him to complete some critical projects would be captured in our 2017 budget”.


The minster continued: "Why do we go to India and other countries for treatment? The best place one can receive treatment and recover fast, is within your country where the medical personnel can speak the same language with you, in fact, the present administration has vowed to improve the health sector so as to discourage medical tourism among our people”


The Federal Government has also raised hopes for the implementation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.

To accomplish this, the Ministry of Health has announced that it has drawn up a set of guidelines with specific reference to the National Health Act of 2014, alignment with national health policy and following wide-ranging consultations with the relevant stakeholders in the Nigerian healthcare sector.

Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, made this announcement when he spoke at a Town Hall meeting in Enugu.

“They define the minimum performance standards stakeholders are expected to adopt, implement and comply with to meet stipulations set out in these guidelines. We are currently working towards inclusion of the Fund in 2017.

“For instance, the funds from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NHPCDA) will be disbursed through State Primary Health Care Development Agencies to one primary healthcare centre per ward as identified by each state.

“The primary health care centres would utilize the funds for critical service delivery operations such as community outreaches, improvement of data reporting systems, supportive supervision and procurement of basic commodities. “

He went on: “All disbursements will be done electronically to ensure transparency. Relatedly, funds from the NHIS gateway will be used in purchasing care for pregnant women and infants. Through this, we envision that every Nigerian woman would now have access to free antenatal care and skilled birth delivery. Routine immunization would also be covered.

“Over the last couple of months, several consultations have been carried out to ensure that appropriate feedback is obtained on the guidelines. These consultations are ongoing and will culminate in the presentation of guidelines at the emergency National Council of Health where it will be ratified.”

The National Health Act was enacted in 2014 to ensure improved health outcomes, to provide legal framework for the provision of healthcare services and to establish an organizational and management structure for the health system in Nigeria.
The chairman of the medical advisory committee, Dr. Obinna Onodugo, the director of finance, Mr. Chukwudi Onuchukwu Chocho, the director of the Post graduate studies, Dr. Linda Oge Okoye, the director of administration, Barr. Simon Nkume, head of Nursing services, Mrs. Chinwe Achukwu, the coordinator post-Basic Peri-Operative, Nursing school, Dr. Nkiru Azike and head, Public Relations, Mr. Cyril Keleze were present to receive the minister during the visit.

Also, present on the occasion were professors Basden Onwubere, Martin Aghaji and Benedict Anisiuba, all of the cardiothoracic centre, the medical directors of National Orthopaedic hospital Enugu, Dr. Cajetan Nwadinigwe and Dr. Jojo Onwukwe of the Nueropsychiatric hospital, Enugu as well as the Enugu State Commissioner for health, Dr. Sam Ngwu.