By Idu Jude
In a swift reaction to the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemics the Federal Government, has inaugurated National Tertiary Health Institutions Standards Committee (NTHISC), the second since the National Health Act was signed into law, to help redesign health programmes future occurrences.
The minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire, while inaugurating the committee Tuesday in Abuja, the Buhari administration has commenced a holistic health reform in line with the lessons learned from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; this important committee he said provides a great opportunity to rejig Nigeria’s tertiary health care services.
“It is imperative to refocus the institutions to become centres of excellence in health care and stem medical tourism which costs Nigeria billions of naira annually”
The Minister further said, “In constituting this committee, the Federal Ministry of Health has carefully selected seasoned health care professionals with expertise in different aspects of the health care ecosystem, supported by the statutory regulatory bodies in the health sector.
According to the National Health Act 2014 the functions of the committee include the following:
To advise the Minister on matters affecting the establishment of tertiary hospitals in Nigeria,
Prepare periodic master plans for the balanced and coordinated development of tertiary hospitals in Nigeria.
Establish minimum standards to be attained by the various tertiary health facilities in the nation and also inspect and accredit such facilities.
Part of the terms of reference include making relevant investigations and recommendations to the Federal and State Governments on tertiary health care services in the national interest
Advise the Federal Government on the financial needs, both recurrent and capital, of tertiary health services and in particular, investigate and study the financial needs for training, research and services and make appropriate recommendations for these set standards and criteria for allocation of funds from the Federal Government to tertiary health institutions and monitor their utilisation, source for grants as laid down by the committee.
The committee is also mandated to collate, analyse and publish information in relation to tertiary health care services annually.
Lay down broad operational guidelines in all areas of management for use by the Tertiary Hospitals Management Board;
Monitor and evaluate all activities and receive annual reports from the tertiary hospitals and supervise annual peer review, and Carry out such other activities as are conducive for the discharge of its functions under the National Health Act.
According to the terms of reference, the Minister may give the committee directives of a general nature not relating to the particular matters with regard to the exercise by the committee of its functions under this Act.
Membership of the Committee includes Prof. Abiodun Phillips, who will be chairing the committee. Other members are Dr. Mairo Mandara (Northeast), Dr. David Imuse (South-South) Prof. Adewale Oke (Southwest), Dr. Saleh Ngaski Garba (Northwest), Pharm. Mashood Lawal (Northcentral), Dr. Chinwe Igwilo (Southeast). Representatives of the Chief Executives of the Tertiary Health Institutions: Dr. Adedamola Dada (FMC Ebute Metta) Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo (UMTH Maiduguri) Representatives of the: Federal Ministry of Education, Federal
Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. Our Ex-officio members from the diaspora: Dr. Ibrahim Bolaji (UK) and
Ms. Izoduka Asoro (USA) Private Sector Health Alliance, represented by Dr. Tinuola Akinbolagbe.
The Secretary of the Committee is the Director and Head of Department of Hospital Services, Dr, Adebimpe Adebiyi.
The Minister reminded that Registrars of the 14 regulatory bodies in the health sector are statutory members and these include National Postgraduate Medical College, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Pharmacist Council of Nigeria,
Medical Rehabilitation Therapist Registration Board (MRTB), Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (MLSCN), Dental Therapists Registration Board, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board, Community Health Practitioners Registration Board (CHPRBN),
Dental Technologist Registration Board of Nig. (DTRBN), Institute of Chartered Chemist of Nigeria, Health Records Registration Board of Nigeria (HRORBN), Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN), and Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN),
Edo govt assures improved standard of education for tertiary institutions
The Minister, however, expressed confidence that the Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Abiodun Phillips, a Professor of Paediatrics, distinguished scholar, researcher, and experienced health administrator will steer the team with sterling leadership to ensure the mandates are achieved during the four-year tenure.
“I am pleased to inform you that the Inspectorate Division of the Ministry under the directive of the Director, Hospital Services has been positioned to support your Committee’s routine activities. It is therefore important to reiterate that the Nation looks forward to a positive shift in the status of our tertiary health services through
the contribution of your Committee”
