Bring back our doctors: Stakeholders Urge FG.

Implementing all the acts, programs, and policies establishing the health sector is the way to go to move the country forward.

At the conference themed “Future of Health” in Lagos, stakeholders made important submissions.

Chief Operating Officer of AXA Mansard Health LTD, Dr. Jadesola Idowu, said the key implementation could not be done by the government alone except in collaboration with the private sector and government.

“The government should open up the space and partner with the private sector because, with good governing structures and an enabling environment, the private sector will thrive “. – Idowu

According to her, “It is important for regulators to be in partnership with the HMOs to be diligent in licensing them, including e-licencing, and to sanction the erring ones when necessary.

Dr. Idowu prevailed on the government to maintain quality assurance in the health sector, while insisting on the implementation and solid collaboration among the stakeholders.

Speaking to the theme “the private sector as a catalyst for a resilient health system,” she stressed the importance of leveraging the private sector’s capacity to deliver quality care saying promoting quality service in the sector is crucial.

” Operational guidelines have just been released which is a good development but  Noted that although experts have left Nigeria for greener pastures, the japa syndrome has a reversal of japada,  which means that the expertise will come back to Nigeria on a mission trip to give back to the society “. Idowu

As Nigerian doctors emigrate, they gain more skills and knowledge, as well as increased revenue. The government should incentivize them to return with improved working conditions and benefits.

The Chief Executive Officer PSHAN, Dr Tinuola Akinbolagbe, who spoke on the insurance policy,  said the government has done well for its citizens but the National Health Insurance Agency, NHIA, should guide in the area of implementation, which will make it clear on what role every individual needs to play.

Dr Akinbolagba said, that both the public and the private sectors have a good stake in the implementation of policies, stating that, the public sector can raise the standard as against what it is currently facing in some areas of the private sector.

 ” The future of the health sector in Nigeria is optimistic with positive actions and meaningful engagements, and that remuneration is very important while urging government give doctors attractive remuneration on time, train and retrain them for the benefit of the people “. Akingbolagba

” I want the government to fund the Tertiary Institutions and primary health care Centers and deliberately work on bringing back Nigerian experts abroad to build people’s confidence in Nigeria’s health care delivery system.