BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESESZOBOR—-Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, has again reaffirmed its readiness to support the nation’s healthcare sector.
Dr Demola Sogunle,Chief Executive of the holding company disclosed this in his opening remarks at Stanbic IBTC Bank’s (a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings) inaugural healthcare breakfast session held last week in Lagos said the topic of discourse, “The Business of Healthcare: Challenges and Opportunities,” reflects our shared goal of progress through strategic partnerships. We aspire to shed light on how tailored solutions can further support your ambitious endeavors.
He said “in the spirit of driving Nigeria’s growth, Stanbic IBTC Bank has continued to avail credit to healthcare entities, thereby supporting hospitals, pharmaceutical firms, HMOs, and diagnostics centers nationwide. We are very passionate about wellness in the communities we serve, and we throw our weight behind the health sector in Nigeria.
“To healthcare providers here today, I implore you to explore our tailored offerings that are designed to fuel your aspirations. We are confident that technology and financing innovation can improve healthcare access, even in the face of macro challenges. We are committed to supporting your visions.
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“Together, let us advance Nigeria’s journey to universal health coverage, improve standards of living, as well as reduce outbound expenditures that arise from medical tourism, as we unearth opportunities for collaboration and strengthen the healthcare value chain for sustainable progress.”
In her presentation, Mrs Clare Omatseye, CEO, JNC International Limited, while. Delivering her paper titled:”Strategic Partnerships: Catalysts for Transforming
Nigeria’s Healthcare Sector,” said the Nigeria’s high population presents significant opportunities for the private sector to provide much-needed healthcare services, in a sector where this sector already provides the most care.
According to her PPPs remain perhaps the most viable options for improving infrastructure and access to healthcare.
She also called for critical legal reforms to create both an enabling and regulatory environment for PPP’s, digital healthcare and interventions to improve tertiary care and referrals are likely to continue.
She said outsourcing the primary/secondary healthcare facilities to the private sector, while the government focuses on the Tertiary healthcare segment as well as regulation will also go a long way in solving our challenges.
She noted that collaboration is a fundamental element for the transformation of any sector, including healthcare.
Strategic Partnerships have become the cornerstone for the development of healthcare in Nigeria.
“Strategic partnerships have become the cornerstone for the development of healthcare in Nigeria. Private Sector and Public Sector partnerships have been built over the years and we can recognize the importance of these partnerships in resolving key health issues ranging from communicable diseases to non-communicable and further to pandemics as with Covid-19.
“There are other key stakeholders in the healthcare system that we may need to consider which include the banking industry, the pharmaceutical industry, alliance of other private sector players interested in the development of healthcare, technical and financial donors, etc.”
On innovative healthcare operating model, she said health providers are in an unprecedented market that is putting significant pressure on stakeholders
“Yesterday’s solutions will not solve today’s problems. To be viable for the foreseeable future, health systems need to simultaneously improve operations, restructure their model, and advance their operations with digital. By utilizing this framework to address both specific operational challenges and existential financial challenges, providers can chart a course to long-term financial sustainability.”
