FG Targeting Behavioral Change, Healthcare Efficiency, Says Salako

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has said that one of the key strategies of the federal government for improving the healthcare system in Nigeria, is to enhance the quality of care in hospitals and to change people’s attitude towards embracing preventive healthcare.

Speaking during an interview with journalists in Abuja over the weekend, Salako said that the ultimate goal of the new healthcare sector policy is to improve the health and wellbeing of Nigerians.
He identified two key priorities including improving the quality of patient’s care at hospitals and promotion of preventive healthcare through improved health seeking behaviours among Nigerians.

According to the minister, it is important that patients receive top-notch service in hospitals, and that hospitals are evaluated on the basis of the impact they make, rather than just their physical infrastructure.
He said: “The level of awareness in terms of health issues, in terms of immigration, in terms of health-seeking behaviors, and in terms of improving the health efficiency of the people, cannot be said to be optimized yet.”
He added: “Research has shown consistently that when the health efficiency is high, then the health-seeking behavior is better, and the health indicators are still better”.  

In addition to improving the quality of care in hospitals, the minister also emphasized the need to promote preventive healthcare among Nigerians.
Salako said that prevention is key to improving health outcomes and reducing the burden on the healthcare system.

The minister also pointed out that the importance of collaboration with the media in achieving these priorities.
“The media plays a critical role in disseminating information and raising awareness about health issues, he said.”
Salako further stated that the ministry’s priorities are aligned with the global movement towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which aims to ensure that all people have access to quality healthcare without financial hardship.

His words: “The Nigerian government has made significant progress in recent years in improving the healthcare system, but there is still much work to be done.
“The minister’s commitment to improving the quality of care in hospitals and promoting preventive healthcare is a step in the right direction.

“The media has a critical role to play in disseminating information and raising awareness about health issues. The minister’s emphasis on collaboration with the media is a welcome development.”
“The sector-wide approach to healthcare is critical to achieving common goals. The minister’s priorities are aligned with the global movement towards UHC.

“We must continue to work towards improving the healthcare system as commitment to improving the quality of care in hospitals and promoting preventive healthcare is a step in the right direction.”