Bukola Afeni
The Chief Medical Director of Caroline Medical Center, Dr. Elijah Miner has called on government to support dialysis of patients who are not financially capable.
He disclosed this in Abuja while speaking with newsmen at the commissioning of 60 Dialysis Machines by Caroline Medical Center to reduce kidney related diseases in Nigeria.
He noted that the only way to subsidize the price is to start producing the consumables in Nigeria.
“There is an urgent need to subside the price, if you cannot do that, then you are left to the mercy of those that produce it. The value of naira to dollar had become so extremely expensive “, he said.
The Chief Medical Director also urged the government to subsidize the price of receiving treatment.
“The price has to be favourable for everyone.The government can decide to pay part of the price. We can start looking at producing our own dialysis machine”, he said.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate said the Federal Government will enhance the quality, safety, and effectiveness of healthcare services and protect the well-being of patients, personnel, and the public.
He said the present administration is concerned about improving the quality of governance in the health sector.
“Our focus is on improving governance, management, and administration within the healthcare sector to achieve the health mandate of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, he said.
Pate who was represented by the Chief Medical Director (CMD) National Hospital Abuja, Prof. Muhammed Raji Mahmu.
The Minister added that the facility is more than just a building, but also a symbol of progress in the health sector.
“This is a step in the right direction, especially reducing the high mortality rate associated with renal diseases that afflict
Nigerian citizens.
The edifice is a shining light in the fight against the burden of medical tourism and the high mortality rate associated with renal diseases that afflict Nigeria citizens”, he said.
The Member of Senate Committee on Primary Healthcare, Senator Representing Delta North Senatorial District, Senator Prince Ned Nwoko, who was also the chairman at the event expressed his concern about the healthcare system in Nigeria.
Senator Nwoko stated that the government is paying attention to other things and has neglected the Healthcare system.
He said, “My heart bleeds for Nigeria because if at the leadership level we had paid attention to healthcare in Nigeria, things would be a lot better, we pay attention to so many things but life, we don’t really regard life in Nigeria .
“We have no respect for life, everybody talk about money, they do not seem to appreciate the fact that health is wealth”, Nwoko disclosed.
He also encouraged the Medical Center to keep doing what they are doing and promised that he will make sure that the government partners with them to create a good healthcare system.
