By Ismaila Chafe

The Federal Government has disbursed N100 billion to indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare investors as loans to expand their capital base, boost local production of medicines and medical consumables.

President Muhammadu Buhari announced this when he received the new Executive Members of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.

He explained that the loan was extended through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s support to the private pharmaceutical sector.

According to him, the Health Sector Reform Committee chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, is currently exploring models for revitalizing the nation’s healthcare system.

This is in ways that improve quality of care and the benefit package to care providers.

On brain drain in the health sector, the president said he has directed the Minister of Health to look into ways of turning “brain drain” to “brain gain”.

This, he said, is by engaging top Nigerian medical experts in the diaspora in knowledge and skills repatriation.

He urged the association and other stakeholders in the health sector to support initiatives by the Federal Government.

Buhari also urged them to work with the committees set up to chart a fast track to a health system that best meet the needs of Nigerians in the 21st Century.

The president also commended the association, which is the umbrella body of all Medical Practitioners in Nigeria, for consistently choosing peaceful resolution of differences on matters pertinent to the National health system.

‘‘I commend our medical professionals for their contribution to Nigeria’s exemplary management of the COVID-19 pandemic, the control of malaria, HIV and Tuberculosis, and other feats also achieved by Nigerian doctors in the diaspora.

‘‘Our response to COVID-19 pandemic has been praised internationally and your members are key parts of this success.

‘‘I recall that in the last quarter of 2021, the immediate past NMA Executives visited me and presented recommendations for the health sector,” Buhari said.

He said the recommendations included the review and amendment of NHIS Act; upgrading and equipping existing health institutions as well as loans to fund hospital equipment.

According to him, they also recommended the repeal and re-enactment of the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Act.

They also appealed for more funding for the four newly established Universities of Medical Sciences.

‘‘I am pleased to inform you that most of these recommendations have been addressed, whilst further action is being taken.

”This is to study those involving cross-cutting administrative processes with legal implications,’’ the president told the NMA leadership.

Buhari also used the occasion to congratulate a former President of the body, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, the President-elect of the World Medical Association, the first Nigerian to hold the position.

While wishing him a successful tenure, the president expressed hope that Enabulele would use his position to support improvement in health care delivery in Nigeria and lower income countries.

He also wished the new Executive Members of NMA a successful tenure, urging them to earnestly continue to serve as arbiters of peace and progress.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, who led the medical practitioners to the audience, affirmed that the doctors had been good partners with his ministry.

Ehanire said that they were helping to regulate the health profession as well as stressing quality service delivery.

In his remarks, the President of the NMA, Dr Uche Ojinmah, said the new National Officers Committee (NOC) was elected on May 21, 2022.

He commended the president for his steadfast war against corruption; assent to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act.

Ojinmah said the act would improve the health indices of the  nation.

He also lauded him for the constitution of the Health Reform Committee under Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; and the various infrastructural projects embarked upon by the Buhari administration.

Ojinmah enjoined the president to ensure full and appropriate implementation of the NHIA Act; provision of “adequate work equipment, conducive work environment and necessary budget support.”

He also called for the implementation of the elongation of the retirement age for medical consultants to 70 years and 65 years for non-consultant doctors and other healthcare workers.

Others include: Implementation of the Hazard Allowance circularized in December 2021 with the arrears; as well as the setting up of a Health Bank.

He also requested for a representation of the Federal Government at the inauguration of Enabulele in Berlin, Germany, later in the year. (NAN)