…As Dr.Otabor bags Integrity award
By Hassan Zaggi
The Chairman, Guild of Medical Directors, FCT chapter, Dr Kingsley Iseko, has said that his group is very open to transparency in its operation, insisting that transparency is a key component in public health.
He stated this when he led a team of executives of the Guild on a solidarity visit to Alliance Hospital, Abuja.
While saying that his group has confidence in the services rendered at the Alliance Hospital, Dr. Iseko noted: “Whenever a scrutiny comes up, we are all open for scrutiny, but we trust God that we have nothing to hide in any of these things. So, anybody that needs to do whatever thing that will help to boost transparency, the Guild of Medical Directors is very open for transparency. Transparency is a key component in public health at this very time.”
He applauded the Alliance Hospital for the many humanitarian services it has rendered over the years, noting that the hospital and indeed, all the staff are open to regulation.
“We know that we are very open to regulation. We welcome it, because it helps set standards, it helps to make sure that people have confidence in the health care that is being given.
“Over 70% of health care is given by the private sector, and when standards are set and judiciously applied in a fair manner, it helps improve public confidence.
“Apart from that, we frown against sectionalism, against people being unfairly treated or not being given a fair hearing.
“We are grateful to God that Doctor Otabor has been a strong member of the community, and by peer review, we are quite confident of the work being done by him and his staff. We trust God that whatever review processes are ongoing will come out and convey this confidence that we have.
“Abuja is fast becoming the center of reversing medical tourism. Hospitals that are in the guild of medical directors have also spearheaded that.
“We pray that there is a speedy resolution of all the matters and whenever there is this kind of case, we don’t pray that there is a winner or loser, we pray that every party finds peace, we pray that people find health, all stakeholders find resolution, find amicable understanding so that the health care of our populace can go forward.
Speaking earlier, the Medical Director of Alliance Hospital, Dr. Christopher Otabor, urged the federal government to invest more in hospital equipment, motivate health workers, and tackle insecurity to halt the twin challenges of brain drain and medical tourism in the country.
He lamented over what he described as huge imbalance in the doctor-patient ratio which, according to him, is over ten times higher than the WHO’s recommended ratio, explaining that the doctor to patient ratio is currently 1 doctor to 10,000 patients.
“Brain drain and medical tourism are the two monsters affecting health care services and delivery in Nigeria
“Our teaching hospitals are emptying everyday. Hospitals are begging doctors to come but whenever they advertise the doctors are not there to fill the spaces. Private hospitals are now bereft of doctors, other specialists. The number of Nigerian doctors abroad are more than those in the country currently.
Earlier, Otabor received integrity ambassadorial award given to him by the leadership of Nigerian Patriotic Youths Against Corruption and Transparency Initiative.
Presenting the award, leader of the group, Ochekwu Ocheche commended Dr Otabor for his desire to remain in Nigeria to provide sophisticated health services to Nigerians despite all challenges.
