…Otabor bags African medical practice, leadership award
By Hassan Zaggi
Alliance Hospital, one of the leading private health facilities in Nigeria, has vowed to continue to provide quality healthcare services to Nigerians through the provision of cutting-edge equipment, skilled manpower and conducive environment.
The Chief Medical Director of Alliance Hospital, Dr. Chistopher Otabor, disclosed this while receiving African Leadership Award for his immense and exceptional contribution in the growth of Nigeria’s health sector.
He noted that retaining patients to access medical care within the country was crucial, as, according to him, Nigeria losses an estimated $1 billion annually on medical care abroad for conditions that can be treated locally.
Otabor reiterated the need for improved investment in healthcare infrastructure, retaining medical professionals through provision of good working environment and maintaining a positive attitude towards patients.
He, therefore, called for collaboration between the government and the private healthcare sector for the good of all Nigerians.
“Private hospitals treat 70% of patients in Nigeria, yet the government often competes with rather than supports us. This needs to change,” Dr Otabor stressed.
He, therefore, applauded the organisers of the award ceremony for recognizing his contribution to the growth of the health sector.
In his keynote address, the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo Benue State, Professor Innocent AO Ujah, called on the federal government to, as a matter of urgency, transform the country’s health system through improved funding, healthcare infrastructure, provision of adequate security and combating brain drain.
Speaking on the theme: “Renewing Hope in Health Governance and Leadership in Nigeria,” he reiterated the importance of effective governance and leadership in addressing challenges bedeviling the country’s health sector.
He commended the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led-Federal Government for its efforts in repositioning tertiary health facilities across the country.
Earlier, Dr. Emmanuel Odu, the Special Adviser to the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, noted that the recognition and award will spur the Alliance Hospital to do more towards the improvement of the country’s health sector.
He reechoed the importance of collaboration and partnership among all stakeholders in the health sector, noting that every medical doctor is a product of this partnership.
He encouraged continued partnership in the health sector in order to achieve greater results.
