Abuja: The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq-Adekunle Salako, announced that the Federal Government is actively working to resolve electricity challenges that impact healthcare delivery across Nigeria’s health facilities. Salako’s remarks were made during the 11th Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Intensive and Critical Care Society of Nigeria (I-CCSN) held in Abuja, which focused on strengthening intensive care services.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the conference, supported by the World Federation of Intensive and Critical Care, carried the theme ‘Sustainable Financing for Intensive Care Units in Public Health Facilities.’ It also featured discussions on data management in critical care, sepsis diagnosis and survival in Nigeria, and mechanical ventilation in low-resource settings, all aimed at improving intensive care outcomes.
Dr. Salako revealed the Federal Government’s introduction of the ‘Health Power Initiative,’ designed to address electricity shortages impacting healthcare facilities and enhance power supply for efficient service delivery nationwide. He expressed optimism that this initiative would significantly improve electricity supply in hospitals, thereby enhancing healthcare services and patient safety, and ensuring the optimal functionality of critical medical equipment.
The minister also outlined recent government efforts to bolster the National Emergency Medical Service, including deploying 145 tricycle ambulances, six boat ambulances, and additional equipment. He stressed the importance of these interventions in improving maternal healthcare and noted that building a sustainable health system necessitates continued investment, expansion, and fellowship opportunities.
Dr. Olalekan Olatise, Chief Medical Director of Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, Abuja, called for government action, urging the introduction of tax waivers for Nigerians investing in the health sector. He emphasized that such incentives could attract private sector participation, encourage investment, and significantly contribute to the development of healthcare infrastructure.
Olatise, who chairs the conference, reiterated the urgent need to address electricity challenges in the health sector, as inadequate power supply continues to undermine healthcare delivery. He highlighted the high costs of intensive care equipment and the lack of adequate consumables in many hospitals, urging policymakers to support efforts to bridge existing gaps in critical care.
Olatise also announced Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre’s plan to establish a 10-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He noted that while accessing foreign exchange for investments had been challenging, the Ministry of Health was gradually making the process more accessible.
The Intensive and Critical Care Society of Nigeria, Olatise added, has experienced significant growth and continues to contribute meaningfully to the development of healthcare services across the country.