Ex-ExxonMobil Boss Urges Multi-stakeholder Approach to Improve Health

By Okon Bassey

The former Vice Chairman of ExxonMobil Companies Nigeria, Mr. Udom Inoyo, has called for a multi-stakeholder approach to achieve the much-desired healthcare delivery system in the country.

The Ex-ExxonMobil boss, who is also the Advisor, Inoyo Toro Foundation made the call at the opening of the 2021 Physician’s Week of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) holding in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.

He lauded the role played by Nigeria’s medical practitioners for volunteering to help humanity as first respondents in the fight against COVID-19.

“Truth be told, there has been a systemic failure across the board, and for so long.

“We recognise that you have complained severally, gone on strike, adjusted where necessary, and like some colleagues, may have thought of or are still thinking about abandoning the ship.

“But this is not the time to apportion blames but rather, an opportunity for all stakeholders to row in the same direction. We must reset the clock and begin a journey of redemption for the general good.” he stated.

Inoyo, a former National President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management in Nigeria, spoke on how improvements in Human Resource Management (HRM) could inspire improvements in Nigeria’s health system.

He said: “To achieve good human resource management and health system strengthening in Nigeria, you as health managers must focus on delivering health benefits to everyone, especially the vulnerable.

“And to effectively do so, you must understand the interplay of human resources in this process. Employees are the engine and livewire of any organization. Recruitment process across the value chain must be above board – square pegs in square holes.

“Strategic planning and staffing are critical success factors. Development and career planning must not only be deliberate but should be reflective of performance.

“Compensation and benefits must reflect the market and be transparently determined. Given the shortfall in human resources, task shifting is recommended.

“Ensure that your staff is up to date on global best practices. You must promote such practices that retain the workforce and halt regrettable attrition.”

He said that the brain drain must be minimised, stressing that “despite how challenging the situation maybe, doctors must continue to take pride in the profession and remain committed to the fundamentals of the Hippocratic Oath”.

“You must re-skill yourself. No matter how difficult, please read and stay abreast of new developments in medicine and do not rely on past knowledge and experiences, as any misdiagnosis further erodes the confidence of your patients.”

The NMA presented an award to Inoyo in recognition of his support towards improving healthcare delivery in Akwa Ibom State.

Presenting the award, the State Chairman of the NMA, Dr. Ime Sylvester Udo, flanked by NMA’s National President, Professor Innocent Ujah, celebrated Inoyo and partners for the donation of 11,000 PPE units to medical workers in the state in the heat of COVID 19 and the procurement and donation of state of the art PCR machine to Akwa Ibom State Government.

According to the NMA Chairman, “if you go to Ibom Specialist Hospital, the PCR machine there was donated by Mr. Udom Inoyo and partners.”

It should be recalled that while the 11,000 PPE units were donated by Concerned Akwa Ibom Professionals in Lagos (CAKPIL), an association Inoyo currently coordinates; the PCR 3 machine was jointly donated by Inoyo Toro Foundation and Stanbic IBTC Bank.

The president of the NMA called for improvement in the healthcare delivery system and emphasised the need for the augmentation of physician’s monthly hazard allowance from a paltry N5,000.

He equally called for the establishment of a Bank of Health in Nigeria arguing that, if there is a Bank of Agriculture to incentivise agro-businesses in the country and a Bank of Industry to provide stimulus to industrial growth, there is no reason Nigeria should not have functional bank that supports the growth and development of the health sector.

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, declared the physician’s week open and called for improved healthcare delivery systems across Nigeria.

Emmanuel represented by his Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, acknowledged the contributions of medical practitioners in the fight against COVID -19 and called for support from all stakeholders towards improving the state of affairs in Nigeria’s health sector.

The theme of the week is, “Nigerian in the COVID Era and Beyond: Health Systems Strengthening for National Security and Prosperity.”