By Nicholas Dekera, Kaduna
Nigeria’s Minister Health for States Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako yesterday visited the country apex Eye Hospital, the National Eye Centre Kaduna, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital and National Ear Care Centre all in Kaduna for a routine supervision of equipment and others.
Dr.Salako stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has increased the budgetary allocation for health this year with a sole aim of eliminating medical tourism. He said the budget targets reduce cost of controlled drugs and other medical consumables via issueing of waiver and a holistic change of mechanism in the recruitment process of Health workers to double the number of health workers presenting relocating abroad.
I still feel this hospital is not doing enough because we still have a sizable number of Nigerians with preventable blindness, cataract and so many others
The Health Minister maintained that ” the Federal Government Budgets for Eye Care surgery across Nigeria is hinged on what National Eye Centre Kaduna can do. It means this Hospital is strategic in the implementation of that aspect of the budget. The staff of this hospital must rededicate themselves to work and must also create VIP ( Very Important Personality) segments for all inclusive service thereby cutting off medical tourism.
While urging the Chief Medical Director Dr Amina Hassan-Wali to do a memo to the ministry for an out of court settlement with Kaduna state Government over the land dispute, the Health Minister charged the Hospital to develope and maintained a more robost community relations.
“I still feel this hospital is not doing enough because we still have a sizable number of Nigerians with preventable blindness, cataract and so many others. I want you to increase your penetration to the communities” Salako stressed.
We have developed sub-specialties in Intra Ocular lens, implant microsurgery, pediatric ophthalmology
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director of National Eye Centre Kaduna Dr. Amina Hassan-Wali in her welcome speech revealed that the hospital made far-reaching positive contributions in Eye Care in Nigeria especially in prevention of blindness stressing that the Centre aside Hospital Based Ophthalmic services, is committed to Community outreach.
” We have developed sub-specialties in Intra Ocular lens, implant microsurgery, pediatric ophthalmology, orbit/oculoplastic, retina and community ophthalmology, human resources development for Resident Training in Ophthalmology, restraining of opthalmologists from other Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centers in recent ophthalmological surgical advances Ophthalmic Nursing Diploma Course, Advanced Diploma in Community Ophthalmic Nursing, instrument maintenance and Nurse Refractionist courses among others.” Dr Hassan Wali stated
Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital
The Honorable Minister of State for Health Dr. I. A Salako was received at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital by the Medical Director Dr Aishatu Armiyau at 02:10 Pm and proceeded on tour to facilities.
Dr. Salako who cited the National Mental Health Act 2021 pinpointed that the establishment of Mental Health departments in all Tertiary Hospitals, decriminalization of attempt to suicide and establishment of Health Assessment Committees in all states are sacrosanct to the well-being of Nigerians as stipulated by the act and have been prioritized by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Whille assuring of more resources at the Basic Health Care, he said more funding is being budgeted for mental health at the Primary Health Care level to ensure patients satisfaction comes at a subsidized rate.
Salako who lauded the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital for its organized and digitalized medical records system cum hotel equivalent reception noted that, in diversifying, the hospital must focus on it primary mandate which is mental health, warning that resources must be deployed 99.9% for mental health.
He said that the hospital must also explore the creation of VIP segment for treatment to control stigma and cut Medical Tourism stressing that mental challenges exist even within the rich.
Salako also charged the Hospital to liase with the Kaduna State Government on Mental Health Services to ensure effective service delivery at grassroots.
National Ear Care Centre
The Health Minister challenged the Medical Director Dr. Mustapha Abubakar Yaro saying nothing much have been heard about National Ear Care despite the huge budget allocation which is almost equivalent to the Eye Centre and other National Hospitals.
” This year you must up your game, you can copy what Federal Medical Centre Ebute Meta is doing, this year we will ensure purchase of more equipments for this hospital and we will continue to support the hospital for effective service delivery. On the space you mentioned earlier, this place can not be abandoned because it is in the city centre but could still be managed for effective services. ” The Minister added
National Ear Care Centre Kaduna had break throughs in cochlear implants surgery, laser head and neck surgery, middle ear surgery, voice restoration surgeries
He said team work is needed for private sector investment to address power sector here because the resources spent on power as it is now can cater for private investment with a more effective result.
Salako called on the Medical Director to forward his request for recruitment waiver so that the numerous sensitive gaps created as a result of brain drain “Japa” could be filled up for better service delivery.
Over the years, National Ear Care Centre Kaduna had break throughs in cochlear implants surgery, laser head and neck surgery, middle ear surgery, voice restoration surgeries and endoscopic sinus surgery.
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