The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment to deepening collaboration with private medical practitioners as part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery across the state and the country.
Deputy Governor Ngozi Nma Odu restated the position on Thursday at the 48th Annual General Meeting and International Scientific Conference of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners, held at the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre.
Odu commended members of the association for their resilience and vital contributions to healthcare delivery, noting that private practitioners cater to between 60 and 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population. She described the conference theme, “Enhancing Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria: The Role of Private Medical Practitioners,” as both apt and timely.
Highlighting the growing role of the private sector in addressing emerging health challenges, the deputy governor also drew attention to the risks faced by practitioners, including kidnapping and violent attacks, describing their sacrifices as critical to sustaining healthcare services nationwide.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to policies that promote quality healthcare, attract investment, and create an enabling environment for medical professionals to thrive. According to her, sustained synergy between public and private actors remains essential to building a resilient and inclusive health system.
Odu further spotlighted the state’s health insurance scheme, the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme, which partners with private health facilities to expand access to care. She disclosed that the initiative has funded several medical procedures, including surgeries, through such collaborations.
She urged participants to utilise the conference as a platform for meaningful engagement, knowledge exchange, and the development of practical solutions to challenges confronting the healthcare sector, expressing optimism that deliberations would yield actionable outcomes.
In his remarks, National President of the association, Adesola Adekunle Kayode, said the body had, over the past four years, achieved key reforms, including a new tariff structure and strengthened institutional frameworks to enhance the dignity of private practitioners.
Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion, Innocent Ekwem, decried the state of the nation’s health system and challenged participants to generate ideas capable of revitalising healthcare institutions.
The conference attracted stakeholders from across the health sector, underscoring renewed calls for collaboration to reposition Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.
