TheCable

Ali Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare, says drastic actions will be taken against non-performing chief medical directors (CMDs) of tertiary health institutions in the country.

Pate spoke on Wednesday in Abuja during the third edition of the ministerial press briefing series (MPBS) initiated by the federal ministry of information and national orientation.

Pate said the focus of the CMDs should be on providing healthcare services to Nigerians, warning anyone found not doing so will be held responsible.

“I want to put all federal tertiary hospitals on notice that the Minister of State and myself will make serious surreptitious visits to those facilities to see what they are doing, so they should be ready,” NAN quoted the minister as saying.

“If any of our chief executives does not focus on the quality of care in their hospitals and we see lapses, we will take drastic action against them.

“This is because at the end of the day, these are public institutions and their focus is to provide services to Nigerians and to ensure that Nigerians are respected when they are given those services.”

Pate said there has been a significant increase in patient attendance at federal tertiary hospitals, which he noted is a testament to the improved quality of care and confidence in the healthcare system.

He said through targeted investments in infrastructure, technology and human capital, the federal government would enhance the capacity of the institutions to deliver specialised medical services.

“The federal government will also handle complex health conditions, ensuring that every Nigerian has access to world-class healthcare when needed,” he said.

“Our commitment to improving tertiary healthcare services is unwavering. Twelve tertiary hospitals/centres have been earmarked for infrastructure development, including the establishment of oncology centres, radiology centres, and diagnostics facilities.

“These investments will enhance our capacity to provide specialised care and meet the evolving healthcare needs of our people.”

Pate also said the ministry is working hard to remedy all the challenges facing health workers.

He announced that CMDs had been notified to ensure that gunshot victims were treated immediately without having to present a police report.

“On gunshot victims, we have stated it and the inspector-general of police also raised it but the issue is the non-public facilities, the private facilities, some of the state facilities may not be paying enough attention,“ the minister said.

“So, I think if we accept as the norm and the press themselves amplify this message that it is not acceptable to lose a life when one can actually save that life.

“We will begin to see change and we call on all health workers to prioritise saving lives.”