(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/ONYEBUCHICHUKWUHEALTH.gif) The Federal Government has inaugurated Boards of Management of Federal Tertiary Hospitals and Agencies.
The Minister of Health, Prof. C.O. Onyebuchi Chukwu who inaugurated the Boards in Abuja said that the inauguration is in line with the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
He said that the boards are being inaugurated to strengthen the health sector in the implementation of the National Strategic Health Development Plan and the vision 20:2020.
He said that the key performance indicators the Chief Executives of the Institutions signed with the Minister also provide additional guidelines for the management of the institutions adding that those indices must be achieved within the stipulated time.
He urged the board members not to betray Mr. President's confidence and trust hinting that as Chairmen or Board members their role should be clear noting that they should not be involved in the day to day management of their establishment. He added that their function resides with the Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of the Hospitals and the Chief Executives of the Agencies.
He also reminded them that their function is to provide oversight on the management to ensure the implementation of government policies, the effective and efficient utilization of resources, the observance of extant laws and regulations and to ensure accountability for funds and performance adding that they should ensure available resources are devoted for the good of the patients and the institutions.
He cautioned the Boards not to be directly involved in the procurement process but should provide oversight function in the procurement process and should also respect constitutional role of Federal Character Commission in the recruitment process.
He said that in discharging their responsibilities, the Boards must be mindful of the need for efficiency in the management of relatively scarce resources pointing out that it is the expectation of government that each board will strengthen resources of its institution, increase revenue and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their use.
Earlier, in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Fatima Bamidele said that the country' s health profiles have improved in the recent past stressing that there is still room for improvement.
She said that despite Government's efforts in improving the resources in the health sector, we are yet to meet the desired expectations.
Notwithstanding, Government is determined to improve the strategies and actions that will guarantee optimal access to health services for all Nigerians, she added.
She reminded the Board members that the Federal Government has declared zero tolerance for corrupt practices at all levels adding that the institutions under their watchful eyes should therefore operate under strict guidance of and adherence to extant and relevant laws, public service rules, financial regulations, procurement acts and circulars.
She also said that the supervisory role of Federal Ministry of Health should always be accorded due recognition.
The Governing Boards inaugurated include those of twenty Federal Teaching Hospitals, eight Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospitals, three National Orthopaedic Hospitals, twenty two Federal Medical Centres and National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria
It's high time we took hospitals seriously in this country cos we've been toying with it all along. Nigeria has to wake up