Abuja:NISA Premier Hospitals has appealed to the Federal Government to waive taxes imposed on private hospitals, describing these levies as a significant burden on healthcare providers. Dr. Musa Shaibu, Group Managing Director of the hospital, made this appeal during a visit by the leaders of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Chapter.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Shaibu emphasized that the government has a responsibility to provide adequate healthcare to Nigerians, but heavy taxation on private hospitals could hinder citizens’ access to quality medical services. He highlighted the necessity of making healthcare more affordable, especially with the introduction of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), which promotes health insurance subscriptions among Nigerians.
Dr. Shaibu pointed out that private hospitals are facing increasing challenges, including inadequate power supply, which is essential for healthcare delivery. He noted that NISA Premier Hospital spends approximately 40 million naira monthly on power generation alone. He urged the government to address these power issues to help reduce healthcare costs.
He also identified inadequate training opportunities for young doctors as a significant challenge in Nigeria’s health sector. Many graduates struggle to find placements for housemanship programs, prompting some to seek opportunities abroad. Shaibu explained that while private hospitals like NISA have the capacity to train house officers, government conditions, such as providing accommodation, are difficult for many facilities to meet.
Dr. Shaibu warned that if these challenges are not addressed, Nigeria will continue to experience a brain drain in the healthcare sector. He attributed some of these issues to macroeconomic conditions, including the depreciation of the naira, which encourages healthcare professionals to migrate.