Classified as a social service, health is one of the pivotal elements of human capital development. In the same vein, it is central is to the economic development of a country. It is mostly said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.
Against this background, any nation that wants to attain development must make conscious investment in the health sector.
Despite continuous huge investments in power, Nigeria has suffered over 200 grid collapses in nine years with as many as 12 in 2019. This problem has resulted in doctors performing surgeries using candles, lamps and mobile phones. The issue was later resolved after the payment of some amount of money, consequently power was restored to the tertiary health facility.
The CMD said: “Today, there is no federal teaching hospital that does not owe their respective power company. IBEDC has been charging us industrial tariff, in spite of our appeals that we render humanitarian-cum-social services. You will notice that Distribution Companies increase their tariff as they will, and frequently too.
The physical development of the hospital commenced in 1953 in its present site and was formally commissioned after completion on November 20, 1957. The professor said energy cost is a significant burden, considering the Hospital has to pay for laundry, feeding, security, cleaning, gardening and so on.
“The cost of both power generation equipment and gas are denominated in US dollars. The exchange rate of the Naira is less than 12 per cent of what it was six years ago. This uncompetitive value of the Naira has been discouraging to the investors who installed the hardware. It also eroded the hospital’s purchasing power which has stunted projected development goals.”
He also charged the Federal Government to consider picking up the tab for power supply to these establishments. “Since power is paramount to successful service delivery in any tertiary health institution, the Federal Government should consider picking up the tab for power supply to these establishments. This will free the management of the hospitals from the perennial headache of power supply and allow them to focus on their core mandates.”
Speaking on the development, a power supply researcher and Head of Electrical and Electronic Department, University of Ibadan, Dr. Oladayo Olakanmi, urged the government to continue subsidising until the energy supply becomes stable. Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stated this on Friday, when he paid a courtesy call on the governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta.
“You see hospitals, laboratories, and diagnostic centres being run without anybody checking on what they are doing and these are some of the places where illegal practices like organ harvesting are taking place. He said Ogun State has been diligent in managing the Basic Health Provision Funds, which is meant for Primary Healthcare Centres, calling on the governor to adequately monitor the fund to ensure that it is directed to where it was meant for.
In a paper yours sincerely delivered at a symposium by the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries, to mark its maiden Annual Week held in Abuja last week, I released some facts from my reporter’s notebook of 36 years.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ivory Coast Defeats Nigeria in Africa Cup of Nations FinalIvory Coast came from behind to defeat Nigeria 2-1 in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Eagles were looking to lift the trophy for the fourth time in their history.
Read more »
Super Eagles’ squad for friendly matches against Ghana, Mali releasedThe Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has released the Super Eagles squad for this month's friendly games against Ghana and Mali. Stanley Nwabali, who became the team's first choice at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, made the cut. The other goalkeepers invited are Francis Uzoho and Ojo Olorunleke.
Read more »
Huawei offers AI solutions on oil production, clean energyThe Chief Technical Officer of Huawei for South Africa, Matamela Aubrey Mashau, has said cutting-edge technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help Nigeria and other oil and gas producing nations around the world increase oil production, efficiently manage energy transition and rapidly recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19...
Read more »
Bundesliga: Boniface returns to Bayer Leverkusen trainingBayer Leverkusen forward, Victor Boniface has stepped up his recovery from injury after returning to light training on Saturday. Boniface sustained an abductor injury during Nigeria's preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, early this year. The Bundesliga club posted a picture of Boniface in training with a short message.
Read more »
Five Nigerians reportedly die while watching Nigeria vs South Africa matchFive Nigerians reportedly dropped dead while watching the semi-final match between Nigeria and South Africa at the 2023 African Cup of Nations. The tension and anxiety generated by the match are believed to have caused their sudden deaths.
Read more »