The Federal Government has called for improved leadership and operational efficiency within Nigeria’s federal tertiary hospitals.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa made this appeal during the 107th regular meeting of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria (CCMDFTH) on Wednesday in Abuja.
Speaking at the quarterly meeting, Alausa underscored the pivotal role hospital leaders play in the nation’s healthcare system, urging them to prioritse patient care and satisfaction as key performance indicators. “Leadership in the health sector goes beyond managing resources—it requires inspiring teams to deliver the highest quality of care,” he stated.
Alausa emphasised that hospital chief executives will no longer be assessed primarily on infrastructural development but rather on the efficiency of hospital operations, clinical outcomes and the overall patient experience. “The era when the performance of hospital chief executives was judged solely by infrastructural development is over. Today, reduced waiting times, cleanliness of our facilities, the attitude of our staff and, most importantly, clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction are the benchmarks by which you will be assessed going forward,” he stated.
The minister highlighted the need to maximise existing hospital infrastructure to improve patient care immediately. While the development of permanent hospital sites is important, he stressed that current resources must be utilised effectively to meet the immediate healthcare needs of Nigerians.
In addition, Alausa announced the creation of the National Tertiary Hospitals Standards Committee, which will ensure that hospitals adhere to the highest standards of care. He emphasised that compliance with these standards is not optional but essential for achieving the ministry’s goals. The committee’s work will be critical in driving improvements in patient care and hospital operations across the country.
To further enhance operational efficiency, the minister revealed that the government has approved the subsidization of power for federal tertiary hospitals. This initiative is expected to significantly reduce operational costs, enabling hospitals to redirect the savings towards improving patient outcomes. Alausa also mentioned that the process for obtaining staff employment waivers has been streamlined within the ministry to address staffing needs more swiftly.
Addressing the ongoing challenges posed by strikes in the healthcare sector, particularly by resident doctors, Alausa urged hospital leaders to ensure that patient care remains uninterrupted during such industrial actions. He reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the health sector, noting that the current health budget is the highest in the nation’s history. He called on hospital leaders to demonstrate their ability to deliver on the ministry’s goals, thereby ensuring that Nigeria’s healthcare system becomes a model for the rest of Africa.
Chairman of the forum, Prof. Emen Bassey expressed satisfaction with the proactive and hands-on approach of the current Minister of Health, praising recent federal interventions aimed at addressing critical challenges in the health sector. During an interactive session, Bassey highlighted the significance of the minister’s efforts, particularly his willingness to engage directly with hospital administrators and health workers across the country. “We are always very happy to have a minister in our midst. He has a very hands-on approach to management, visiting different hospitals, interacting with us, and offering solutions to our problems,” he said.
One of the major issues discussed was the ongoing power supply challenges faced by tertiary hospitals. Bassey acknowledged the minister’s role in advocating for and securing improved power solutions, which he believed would significantly alleviate operational costs and enhance service delivery, especially for indigent patients. “Thanks to the diplomacy and advocacy done by the minister and other officials, there is light at the end of the tunnel. This intervention will go a long way,” he noted.
The forum also addressed the critical issue of staff attrition, with Bassey highlighting the high rate of resignations among healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and physiotherapists. He called for a more streamlined process for obtaining waivers to replace departing staff, which would help maintain the quality of care provided by hospitals. He also touched on the recent strike action by healthcare workers, acknowledging the government’s efforts to resolve the underlying issues. “A lot of work is being done, even though these issues still exist. We are very happy with the interventions of our ministers in our various hospitals,” he said.
On the topic of public-private partnerships within the healthcare sector, Bassey clarified the minister’s stance, stating that private sector involvement should be focused on enhancing hospital operations rather than diverting resources away from public healthcare priorities. He mentioned ongoing efforts to ensure that these partnerships are beneficial and cost-effective for the hospitals involved. Bassey expressed optimism about the future of healthcare under the current leadership, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration between the government and hospital administrators to tackle ongoing challenges and improve healthcare delivery across the country. The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to advancing operational efficiency and patient care within Nigeria’s federal tertiary hospitals, marking a significant step forward in the nation’s healthcare reform agenda
