Health Commissioner sets committee for revalidation of private health facilities

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. EmemAbasi Bassey, has set up a nine-member committee to take stock of all private health facilities in the State, in line with the ongoing revalidation exercise of the private health centres. 

Dr. Bassey who noted that the revalidation exercise, among other reasons, was to determine the actual number of private health facilities operational in the State, their appropriate staff disposition, adequate equipment to enable the Ministry improve the standard of care offered in these facilities.

Other reasons according to the Commissioner are to help the private health facilities key into the nation’s Medical and Dental Council nomenclature for private health facilities and establishing the minimum standard for each level of care.

Dr. Bassey who spoke at a meeting with the stakeholders of the state’s branch of the Association of Private and General Medical Practitioners of Nigeria; commended the association for buttressing healthcare delivery in the State; noting that about sixty percent of people in the South-South Zone of Nigeria access healthcare through private outlets.

The Health Commissioner also noted with satisfaction the enrolment of some private healthcare facilities into the Health Insurance Scheme, and thus, making healthcare services accessible and affordable to the people.

He tasked the nine-member committee to come out with favourable recommendations that would assist the government in repositioning the health sector for efficient service delivery.

Responding, the State Chairman of the Association of Private and General Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Dr. David Umoessien commended the Ministry of Health for the initiative of revalidating all private hospitals in the State which he said will help bring about effective monitoring of the health centres. 

He solicited the Ministry’s cooperation and pledged to partner the government in upgrading the private facilities. He gave kudos to the Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio for revamping the health sector and particularly, for checking medical tourism abroad through the construction of the Twentieth Anniversary Hospital in the State.