Full Speech: Health Minister Tunji Alausa Inaugurates National Tertiary Health Institutions Standards Committees

Eko Hot Blog reports that Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr Tunji Alausa has on Tuesday inaugurated the National Tertiary Health Institutions Standards Committees (NTHISC).

The inauguration which took place at Meeting Room B, Sheu Musa Yar’Adua Center, Abuja, had in attendance the honorable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare,Dr Tunji  Alausa,  Permanent secretary, ministry of health and social welfare and other top dignitaries.

Delivering his speech, Dr Alausa described the inauguration as a pivotal point at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. He congratulated the members of the committee under the stewardship of Prof Abiodun Phillip, a Professor of Pediatrics, distinguished scholar, researcher, and experienced health administrator.

The Minister charged them to reward the confidence reposed in them by carrying out their duties deligently to improve the governance of health system In the country.

Full Speech:

SPEECH OF THE HONOURBLE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH, DR TUNJI ALAUSA AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE NATIONAL TERTIARY HEALTH INSTITUTIONS STANDARDS COMMITTEE (NTHISC)

“I am delighted to welcome you all to this inauguration of the National Tertiary Health Institutions Standards Committee (NTHISC).

I congratulate the Chairman, Professor Abiodun and every other member of this important body for being found worthy to serve in the committee.

In constituting this committee, we have carefully selected seasoned healthcare professionals with varied experiences in various aspects of healthcare management supported by the statutory regulatory bodies in the health sector.”

“I am confident that the Chairman of the committee, Prof Abiodun Phillip, a Professor of Pediatrics, distinguished scholar, researcher, and experienced health administrator will drive this committee with sterling leadership to ensure the mandates are achieved.”

“This inauguration we are witnessing today marked a pivotal point at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. As you may all be aware, improving the governance of health systems is the first pillar of our current focus others are population health outcomes, unlocking value chain, and health security.

You will agree with me that if we get our health governance right, we will be on the verge of transforming our healthcare system.

You were also chosen to reflect all the Geopolitical zones in the country as enshrined In line with the National Health Act, 2014.

You were chosen to ensure compliance and a high level of standards in our Tertiary Hospitals.”

“The Chief executives of the tertiary Health institutions represented by ; Dr Adedamola Dada (FMC Ebute Metta) and Prof Ahmed Ahidjo (UMTH Maiduguri).

The 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 Reg. Board (CHPRBN),

Dental Technologists 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

the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN),

The secretary of this Committee is the Director and Head of Department of Hospital Services, Dr Saluadeen Jimoh mni.”

“Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Finance Budget and National Planning, and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the federation are also members.”

“While I will not bore you with the functions of this committee, as you will all be given a copy of the National Health Act 2014, some of the functions of the Committee shall be 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 to inspect and accredit such facilities, among others.”

“Make 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 utilization, source for grants as laid down by the Committee;

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.”

“You may also get directives of a general nature not relating to the specifics given by the National Health Act with regard to the exercise by the committee from time to time.

I am well informed that the Inspectorate division of the Ministry under the directive of the Director, Hospital Services will be charged to support your committee’s routine activities.

Hope that once this Committee becomes fully functional, it will provide us the opportunity to strengthen and provide guidance to Subnational Health Institution Standard Committee.”

“Finally, let me say that the Nation looks forward to a positive shift in the status of our tertiary health services through the contribution of your committee.

Once again, I congratulate you on your nomination and thank you for accepting to serve on this committee and I encourage you all to participate actively.”

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