The Guild of Medical Doctors (GMD) has called on the Federal Government to effect better policies in the country’s healthcare system, News About Nigeria reports.
The National President of GMD, Dr. Kuti Raymond, made this call while briefing newsmen on the state of health care at the end of its Annual General Meeting in Lagos.
He noted that the country’s healthcare sector is facing a multitude of crises, adding that the system is on the verge of collapse if urgent action is not taken.
Raymond explained that the challenges plaguing the healthcare system are numerous and interconnected, pushing about 8 hospitals to close down in Maiduguri.
The medical directors in private practice also posited that the government has no business in implementing and running hospitals, whether tertiary or secondary, insisting that they let people who are adequately knowledgeable run these hospitals the way they should run them.
Raymond also explained that the cost of running a hospital in Nigeria is exorbitant, noting that the price of medications, consumables, and medical equipment has skyrocketed, putting a massive strain on hospitals’ budgets.
He maintained that these financial pressures are creating a ripple effect throughout the system.
“Doctors, facing stagnant wages and a stressful work environment due to understaffing, are experiencing burnout and leaving the country for greener pastures. This exodus further strains the remaining healthcare workers.
“An average Nigerian is finding it difficult to feed, talk less on how to treat himself or herself.
“With less than 10% of Nigerians covered by health insurance, many are unable to afford quality healthcare. Furthermore, the tariffs paid by government health insurance programmes and HMOs are insufficient to cover the actual cost of care,” he stated.
The Guild, therefore, proposed a series of solutions to address the issues plaguing the country’s health sector and advocated a merger of private hospitals to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
They proposed a merger of private hospitals, stating that it would improve efficiency and reduce costs.
They also urged the government to implement friendlier policies, including subsidies for power and medical equipment, and a reduction in excessive taxes on hospitals.
