The Senate Committee Chairman on Healthcare and Communicable Diseases, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa has reiterated the need for Public Private Partnership to enable adequate Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.
Ohuabunwa stated this in Abuja when a delegation of the Guild of Medical Directors (GMD) Abuja Chapter, led by its Chairperson Dr. Chito Nwana, paid him a courtesy visit and presented
a special plaque of appreciation to him for his commitment to the advancement of the health sector.
Ohuabunwa stressed that more needed to be done in the health sector, saying government alone cannot attend to all the healthcare needs.
He said, “the Senate as a body had approved the Health Act. We captured the act in 2018 budget, the implementation is on now and we are happy that the Executive in 2019 has adopted it into the 2019 budget.
He noted that in some countries the private sector were given waivers to operate, adding that the Guild were not asking for something extraordinary but for basic things to be done.
He therefore commended the guild for persevering until the issue was resolved, when there were reasons for them to be discouraged.
“I want to also thank the FCT Minister who heeded the call of the Senate irrespevtive of the mandate he made sure all your request were granted.
“I urge you to use this opportunity to help the citizens and people of FCT in terms of healthcare. For me, funding and partnership with the private is the only way I think we can correct the healthcare problems in the country,” Ohuabunwa said.
“I thank you for the honour of this award, it is one of the good things I have received as a Senator of the federal republic of Nigeria,” he added.
It would be recalled that the Guild had sought the Senate assistance to end multiple taxation on private hospitals by the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
According to the Guild’s Chairperson, “Ohuabunwa did not only support this, he also took on the task by sponsoring the motion before the senate in plenary that led to the senate calling a public hearing of all the key stakeholders.
” The Senator ensured consultations culminated in the agreement to remove multiple and illegal taxes which was approved by the the Minister of FCT,” she added.
She noted that the private sector provides about 60 per cent of healthcare in Nigeria yet suffered multiple taxation, leading to the closure of some hospitals.
She said the senate hearing led the FCT administration to set up a committee to discuss multiple taxation on private hospitals which brought recommendations to remove most of these taxes and levies.
“This is a very huge landmark, the Senator has become the forerunner in fighting the impositions that affects a very crucial sector,” she said.
