As part of efforts to upgrade standard of health in Nigeria, the Federal Government yesterday threatened to sanction doctors in Federal Tertiary Hospitals who referred patients abroad for ailments that ccould be treated in Nigeria.
Health Minister, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, gave the warning yesterday while speaking at the 67th Meeting of the Association of Chief Executives of Federal Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria, ACEFTH.
According to him, the government will no longer condone such wastages. He stressed that no country in the world had it all since everyone was trying to be self sufficient.
He said: “We will no longer tolerate doctors who refer patients abroad for services that can be rendered in Nigeria”.
Sometimes we are wasteful with our prescriptions.
So many people travel abroad because of their ignorance, they are not aware of such services in Nigeria.”
“No country in the world has it all, but every country is making efforts to be self-sufficient as much as possible. Nigeria hopes to be self sufficient in the health sector and we are going to achieve it.”
The Minister also urged the managements of the government hospitals to ensure upholding the medical standards and discipline in their hospitals.
“From whom much is given, much is expected. Nigerians expect best services from you and Mr. President also expect no less from you. We are leaving this retreat today to proof critics wrong who believe that anything in Nigeria cannot measure up.”
“Medical practice demands much more standards than other sectors. We have to do all to meet the standards. I want to urge the CMDs and CEOs to ensure that their managements are up to the task. We must go by all the laws on ground,” he stated.
