Collaborations key to improving healthcare outcomes in Nigeria, says First Lady

From Terhemba Daka, Abuja

The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu on Thursday emphasised the importance of partnership across sectors and borders in driving innovation and improving patient outcomes in the healthcare sector.
 
Speaking at the commissioning of the Diamed Health Centre in Lekki, Lagos State, Mrs. Tinubu noted that collaborations between the government, private sector and healthcare professionals are necessary to achieve meaningful progress in healthcare.
 
According to a statement issued on Friday by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady said that realising the nation’s goal of universal health coverage needs the efforts and partnership of the private sector and the full activation of health insurance.
 
She cited the Diamed Health Centre as a prime example of what could be achieved through such collaborations, highlighting the centre’s innovative approach to healthcare delivery.
 
Tinubu noted that a state-of-the-art facility like Diamed resonates with the four-point healthcare agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
 
She added: “I have also been informed that this Centre occupies a strategic position in the four-point agenda of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare which are, (i) Improving governance and leadership; (ii) Improving population health outcomes; (iii) Medical industralisation/unlocking value chains; and (iv) Health Security. 
 
“As we look to the future, collaborations across sectors and borders are necessary to drive innovation, share knowledge and improve patient outcomes. Diamed centre exemplifies what can be achieved when we work together – the government, the private sector and dedicated healthcare professionals. 
 
“This dream cannot be attained without engaging the private sector and the full activation of health insurance. Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) stand at the forefront of these transformative efforts, merging resources and expertise to elevate care standards.”
 
She commended the Chairman of the Diamed Centre, Sir Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu, for the initiative, urging him to continue raising the bar even as new grounds are explored in medical technology.
 
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who was represented by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, noted that the nation’s health sector was improving rapidly especially with the collaborative efforts of the private sector. 
 
He also commended the owners of the health facility, noting that the hospital would serve as a good training ground for medical manpower.
 
The Chairman of Diamed Health Centre, Sir Adebutu, thanked the government for providing an enabling environment, which made the establishment of the facility possible.
 
Also present at the event were notable dignitaries including former president Olusegun Obasanjo, former state governors, royal fathers and others.