The Federal Government yesterday directed all public
hospitals across the country to save patients’ lives first during emergencies
before demanding money even as it blamed poor performance of the country’s
health system on chronic under funding.
Giving the directive during his first official visit to the
Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac
Adewole lamented that out of 30,000 Primary HealthCare Centres, PHCs, across
the country only 20 percent (6,000) are functional.
Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac
Adewole lamented that out of 30,000 Primary HealthCare Centres, PHCs, across
the country only 20 percent (6,000) are functional.
Adewole, who said government hospitals cannot continue to
turn poor patients away, however affirmed that lives of Nigerians mean more
than money.
turn poor patients away, however affirmed that lives of Nigerians mean more
than money.
“Accidents, among other emergency cases can occur at
anytime, so patients should not be refrained from accessing treatment. The
poverty indicator shows that 60 to 70 percent of Nigerians are poor. This means
about 100 million people are poor in Nigeria. So, we will provide basic care
through the PHC system for Nigerians.”
anytime, so patients should not be refrained from accessing treatment. The
poverty indicator shows that 60 to 70 percent of Nigerians are poor. This means
about 100 million people are poor in Nigeria. So, we will provide basic care
through the PHC system for Nigerians.”
Adewole who directed the Management of LUTH not to allow
patients stay beyond 24 hours at the Accident and Emergency ward to enable room
for other new patients on emergency, decried the situation he met on ground.
patients stay beyond 24 hours at the Accident and Emergency ward to enable room
for other new patients on emergency, decried the situation he met on ground.
“What I saw this morning is congestion. When the A & E
unit is congested, that facility cannot absorb new cases. When emergency
happens, facilities must be able to respond adequately and promptly.
unit is congested, that facility cannot absorb new cases. When emergency
happens, facilities must be able to respond adequately and promptly.
“This reminded me of a situation whereby if you have an
accident, LUTH will not be able to respond, and that was why I gave the
directive that they should operate a system that would evacuate patients within
24 hours.
accident, LUTH will not be able to respond, and that was why I gave the
directive that they should operate a system that would evacuate patients within
24 hours.
Noting that the A & E is the face of any hospital, he
said once patients are treated, they should be moved to the ward or be
discharge if they are stable, in order to create space for new cases.
said once patients are treated, they should be moved to the ward or be
discharge if they are stable, in order to create space for new cases.
Vanguard
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