FG To Refocus National Tertiary Health Institutions, Inaugurates Committee

The Federal Government has assured that it will refocus the National Tertiary Health institutions to become centres of excellence in health care and stem medical tourism which costs Nigeria billions of naira annually.

The Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire gave the assurance on Tuesday at the inauguration of the National Tertiary Institution Standard Committee (NTHISC) in Abuja.

He said the current administration has commenced a holistic health reform, and with the lessons learnt from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this important committee provides a great opportunity to rejig our tertiary health care services.

He said in constituting the committee, the Federal Ministry of Health has carefully selected seasoned health care professionals with expertise in different aspects of the health care ecosystem, supported by the statutory regulatory bodies in the health sector.

The Minister said their functions include to advise the Minister on matters affecting the establishment of tertiary hospitals in Nigeria; Prepare periodic master plans for the balanced and coordinated development of tertiary hospitals in Nigeria.

“Establish minimum standards to be attained by the various tertiary health facilities in the nation and also to inspect and accredit such facilities, Make relevant investigations and recommendations to the Federal and State Governments on tertiary health care services in the national interest” amongst others.

Dr. Ehanire expressed confident that the Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Abiodun Phillips, who is a Professor of Paediatrics, distinguished scholar, researcher and experienced health administrator will steer the team with sterling leadership to ensure the mandates are achieved during the four-year tenure.

He further announced that the Inspectorate Division of the Ministry under the directive of the Director, Hospital Services has been positioned to support the Committee’s routine activities.