Public Private Partnership cornerstone for qualitative healthcare delivery – FG

Prof. Isaac Adewole, the Minister of Health, has described Public Private Partnership in health as a cornerstone in accelerating healthcare infrastructure development and delivery of quality, accessible and affordable healthcare.
Adewole said this at a workshop on best hospital pharmacy practice in Nigeria organised by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.
The minister, who was represented by Dr. Bola Olowu, the Director Public Private Partnership in the ministry, noted that such partnership will bridge the infrastructure development gap and services.
Adewole further said it would as well provide new strategic opportunities to add value to existing healthcare delivery system in Nigeria.
He explained that for the nation to realise its economic potentials it needs increases in health investments from public and private sectors in all levels of services from primary clinics to hospitals to medical supplies and pharmaceuticals.
Adewole says: “Private sector already accounts for almost two thirds of healthcare delivered in Nigeria.
“The public sector is not living up to expectation, strike actions, poor clinical governance, lack of state of the art medical equipment and perennial out-of stock syndrome of drugs and other essential commodities.
“This has resulted in patients seeking alternative care outside the country, thus encouraging outward medical tourism.
“The present administration is committed to mobilising private sector resources for investments.
“We hope that this will facilitate the reversal of the trend of outward medical tourism and thus making Nigeria the hub for healthcare destination.”
Noting the responsibility of governments as provision of quality healthcare to its citizens, Adewole, however, said private capital and expertise is being used to ease fiscal constraints and improve efficiency.
The minister explained that it is not enough that a country has good doctors, nurses and pharmacists, among other, medical professionals without adequate and available quality drugs.
According to him, fully integrated health services delivery necessitates a system where drugs are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are safe and affordable.
However, Adewole urged all health practitioners to imbibe best practices in their various professions and improve standard of practice as well as service provision.
He said: “The present economic situation of the country with the falling of oil prices and dwindling budgetary allocation to Ministries, Departments and Agencies has compelled the government to consider alternative mechanisms to fund the infrastructural gaps.
“A PPP in pharmacy services ensures that private sector service provider will not only dispense safe affordable drugs at all times but will also offer compassionate cares and demonstrate authentic corporate social responsibility.
“I urge all stakeholders to discuss on possible PPP models to be adopted to ensure quality and improved services in all our hospital/clinics pharmacies for the benefit of our teeming citizens.”
Similarly, Elijah Mohammed, the PCN Registrar, identified best hospital pharmacy practices to include helping patients make the best use of medications.
Mohammed advised pharmacists not to only concern about provision of drugs but the outcomes of pharmacy services which he noted as the wellbeing of their patients.
He said some elements of pharmacy services critical to safe effective and cost-conscious medication use to include optimising medical therapy, medication delivery, research and monitoring medication use.
He said: “A PPP is a collaborative relationship between the public and private sectors aimed at harnessing the use of all available resources, knowledge and facilities required to promote efficient, effective, affordable, accessible, equitable and sustainable healthcare for all people in Nigeria.”