Private medical practitioners have been encouraged to embrace change and innovation, leveraging collective resources and expertise to shape a resilient future for healthcare in Nigeria.
Chief Executive Officer of Iwosan Lagoon Hospital, Lagos, Ms Fola Laoye gave the charge in a guest lecture titled “Continuity of Private Medical Practice in Nigeria: Exploring Viable Options” at the annual general meeting and scientific conference of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioner Oyo State in Ibadan.
Laoye said Nigeria’s healthcare industry is fragmented but a group medical practice would create a more institutional approach to continuity of private medical practice in the country.
According to her, the size of the healthcare industry in Nigeria is large; two-thirds of the overall spending in healthcare takes place in the private sector, and so more specialised services can be made available for people to avail themselves of in-country.
Ms. Laoye stated that a group medical practice can readily exploit the growing demand for care despite the profusion of healthcare institutions, especially public hospitals, which are primarily dilapidated, underfunded, understaffed, and ill-equipped.
Aside from group medical practice, she said options for ensuring the continuity of private medical practice in Nigeria included strategic financial management options such as diversified revenue streams by introducing other ancillary services, health insurance partnerships, and cost optimisation of systems to reduce operational expenses.
“Continuity in private medical practice in Nigeria requires a multifaceted approach. By adopting innovative strategies, optimising financial and operational processes, and fostering strong relationships with stakeholders, private medical practitioners can navigate challenges and ensure long-term sustainability.
“Group medical practices, despite their challenges, offer promising solutions for resource sharing and enhanced patient care, highlighting the importance of collaboration in addressing systemic issues.”
Chairman at the occasion, Dr Abib Olamitoye, declared that for private medical practice to continue to grow in leaps and bounds, they should explore the advantages of AI, group medical practice, and acquire skills to run a medical business enterprise and skills to see into the future of the healthcare industry.
He added, “This is to ensure that we can begin to navigate gradually the ship of our various establishments in the direction of prosperity, abundance, and even better care for our patients and our staff members.”
The chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association Oyo State, Dr Happy Adedapo, stated that issues of successors to the medical establishment and workable group medical practices perturb many private medical practitioners.
Dr Adedapo declared that over 60 percent of Nigeria’s health needs are met by private medical practitioners and appealed that the government support them with a 50 percent rebate on the energy bill, soft loans, and a review of multiple taxes to ensure an enabling environment for their operations.
According to him, “private medical practice is the solution to most of the healthcare challenges the country is faced with. With most of the problems bedevilling government institutions today, the patients will go to the private medical practice that will not turn them back.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners Oyo State Branch, Dr Olumuyiwa Ajanaku, said the annual general meeting and scientific conference, tagged “AGM of Recognition and Love,” was to recognise the association’s past heroes and living legends.
At the event, Dr Omolara Smith and Dr Abib Olamitoye received awards for distinguished medical personalities and philanthropists; Dr Akindele Phillips received the award for commitment and outstanding service; and Dr Olumuyiwa Olusanya received the award for long-time meritorious service.
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