-Expresses govt’s interest in public-private integration
The Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has commended the significant roles of private sector players in the state’s healthcare delivery system, saying the sector provides over 3000 healthcare facilities in comparison to a limited number of about 300 public hospitals, for a population of 30 million.
With private sector's predominance in healthcare, he noted that the government is compelled by all indices to expedite an effective public- private partnership in the state, in line with the demand of the stakeholders for government to bridge the gaps in healthcare, through the creation of public-private partnerships or integration as a catalyst for sustainable growth.
He reiterated the confidence of the state government in public-private integration, especially as they have witnessed over the years the efforts of private sector stakeholders as well as donors participation in advancing the borders of healthcare delivery in the state towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, at the 2024 Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), holding on 8 to 9 February, at the Harbour Point, Victoria Island, said his government has launched a 30-year development plan for the achievement of Universal Health Coverage.
He said “ Lagos is serving a population of about 28 to 30 million people. We have 300 public health facilities, including general hospitals, private-public health facilities, and some specialist facilities, federal and tertiary academic centres. But in addition, we have over 3000 private healthcare facilities in Lagos.
“So when you look at the maths, there is a 10 to one ratio between private and public. This also tells us therefore that the private sector is really predominantly responsible for providing healthcare in Lagos state.
“I believe that in Nigeria, in Lagos, we are beginning to move closer towards what we believe is that utopia of a fully integrated, private and public healthcare sector. We in the government are not under any delusion. As to the importance of the private sector and our donor partners that help us to reach and achieve universal health care coverage.
“The Lagos State Development Plan is a 30- year development plan. It has started since last year, is to run to 2052 inside that plan. It clearly states that in 30 years, Lagos is to achieve complete universal health care coverage and should be in the top five cities in Africa with the best health are systems and be one of the top centres for medical tourism”.
Addressing the prominent participants at the conference, which cuts across the healthcare team, doctors, pharmacists, nurses, lab scientists, technicians among others, the President, Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFC) Dr Pamela Ajayi, highlighted the challenges encountered by members in their quest for healthcare provision, which informed the choice of the theme of the conference, “Bridging the gaps in healthcare: public-private partnerships or integration as a catalyst for sustainable growth”.
She particularly harped on the need to resolve most gaps in public-private partnership, irrespective of the significant interventions by the association, she maintained that there are still gaps to be bridged, in order for an average Nigerian to access healthcare seamlessly.
According to her, “Our mission is to support the achievement of up Universal Health Coverage, through private sector activation. And with the challenges that we experience in the country, with our healthcare institutions, etc. We know there are gaps in healthcare, and so we came up with this theme, because we know that there is a rift between the public and the private sectors although as friends, we have made a concerted effort to ensure that we work together.
“There are so many issues we've worked together on public private partnerships we have helped cultivate. There are so many things in the government we've advocated for that have been done, but still the gaps that exist, the rifts that exist between the two need to be closed for a lot of the healthcare system issues to be resolved”.
She disclosed that their major advocacy is moving beyond public-private partnerships to public-private integration and creating a seamless healthcare system that works for the benefit of all.
