FG commissions projects in UCH

THE Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire has reiterated the federal government’s   continuous efforts to consolidate its infrastructure drive in the quest to reposition the health sector. 

Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire expressed the resolve while inaugurating some projects at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan.

Also, the minister announced the reappointment of the Chief Medical Director of University College Hospital, Ibadan, Prof Jesse Otegbayo, for another term of four years.

The projects included One In-Patient Mammogram Machine, One Out- Patient Mammogram Machine, a 64 Slice CT Machine, a state-of-the-art and fully equipped Molecular Laboratory, Nurse Tutors Practical Demonstration Building. Others were Pressure Swing Absorption Oxygen Plant and two Autoclave Sterilizer.

Dr Ehanire explained that the 64 Slice CT Scanner would greatly enhance the hospital radio-diagnostic capabilities, while the In-Patient and Out-Patient Digital Mammography Machines come with the latest 2D and 3D technology to detect breast diseases in women while still in early stages to improve survival chances in cancer patients.

Fielding questions from newsmen on the exodus of health personnel from the country in the quest for greener pastures, Dr Ehanire maintained that the situation was not peculiar to Nigeria.

“This is not peculiar to Nigeria; it is a global phenomenon. There is huge mobility in the labour force – pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and doctors of all levels are moving.

The countries that are wealthy are looking to improve their health services with cheaply acquired doctors trained in other countries.

And in many developed countries, there is nothing like free education at that level and it costs a lot to train doctors. But how are we trying to solve this problem? He said further.

According to the Health Minister, the exodus of health workers was not a recent phenomenon.

Dr Ehanire said that the federal government had given health institutions directives to embark on a one-on-one replacement for health workers and medical personnel.

He, however, warned health institutions not to abuse the replacement process.

The minister added that the federal government was ready to accommodate Nigerians who are experts in the health sector but, had travelled out of the country for more than 10 to 20 years and would want to give back to the country to provide virtual lectures for students and staff in Nigeria.

Earlier, in an address of welcome, the Chief Medical Director of UCH,  Jessie Otegbayo, commended the federal government for improving facilities and creating a conducive place for research, training and clinical services in the health sector and UCH.

Prof Otegbayo said he was optimistic that the projects would “stem the tide of much talked about health tourism and brain drain in the health sector due to poor working environment.

The CMD implored Dr Ehanire to assist UCH by promptly addressing the problem of manpower shortage, through one-on-one replacement staff.