Health maintenance organsisation urges best professional practice in healthcare industry

The Managing Director of Clearline HMO, Dr Isaac Akintunji has reiterated the need for best practices in corporate governance in health sector institutions, particularly among the Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs).This, according to him will instill  public’s confidence in the health insurance scheme and engender growth in the industry.

Akintunji disclosed that it has become imperative for corporate organisations to ensure best practices and strict adherence to ethical standards.

The  medical practitioner stated that organisations need to put sound management structure in place and promote business integrity, urging focus on business integrity and enduring values.

According to him, Clearline HMO has benchmarked its corporate structure and system with the best practices in corporate governance, which has helped in great measures particularly in the face of current economic challenges in the country.

He pointed out that many corporate establishments are facing hard times not only due to the prevailing economic climate but due to absence of good corporate governance, which exposes such companies to high volatile risks.

While noting the strategic importance of HMOs to the well being of human capital that would steer any nation out of economic challenge, Dr Akintunji pointed out that HMOs must operate with utmost integrity, professionalism and strong ethical value system, arguing that organisations that would take care of human capital health must first be healthy in its operating system and structures.

He challenged HMOs to ensure prompt payment of capitation and also payment of claims as at when due, stressing that such would deepen the penetration of the health insurance scheme in Nigeria, and ultimately help in nurturing a virile economy since the human capital would be at the optimal performance level.

He called on operators to enthrone sincerity of purpose in the discharge of their duties, while care providers should adhere strictly to professional standards.

Dr Akintunji also called on regulators in the health sector to perform their oversight functions effectively. This, according, to him will eradicate unprofessional conducts that may hamper the growth of the insurance scheme in Nigeria.