The Federal Government has approved a 50% electricity subsidy for public hospitals across Nigeria, aimed at reducing operational costs and alleviating the financial burdens on patients.
The announcement was made by Dr. Tunji Alausa, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, during his visit to the National Neo-Psychiatric Hospital in Barnawa, Kaduna. While commissioning several new projects, including an Electronic Health Records system and a solarisation project, Dr. Alausa emphasized that this subsidy reflects the government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery nationwide. “This subsidy will help public hospitals manage their expenses better and provide relief to the patients,” he stated.
RENAMING FEDERAL HOSPITALS AS SPECIALIST HOSPITALS
In addition to the subsidy, Dr. Alausa revealed plans to rename Federal Hospitals as Specialist Hospitals. The rebranding is intended to expand healthcare services and reduce the stigma associated with hospital visits. “We are going to change the names of our Federal Hospitals to Specialist Hospitals to expand care delivery and destigmatise hospitals so that everybody can come here,” Dr. Alausa explained.
During his visit, Dr. Alausa also praised the leadership of the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr. Aishatu Yusha’u Armiyau, attributing the hospital’s progress to the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign promises.
ADDRESSING CHALLENGES IN THE HEALTH SECTOR
At the National Eye Care Centre, Dr. Alausa addressed ongoing challenges, including the recent strike by Resident Doctors and the kidnapping of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola. He assured the hospital management that efforts were being made to secure her release and called for calm.
Dr. Alausa further highlighted the government’s strategy to curb the mass exodus of medical staff by engaging Nigerian doctors in the diaspora and expanding Health Science Universities to increase student enrollment.