By Admin
The federal government has called on all stakeholders and partners to ensure continuous integration of diagnostic services in the healthcare system using multiple technologies and optimising the contribution of all diagnostic professionals.
At the National summit in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziak Salako emphasised that the integration was crucial for enhancing efficiency, eliminating service duplication, and ensuring the optimal utilization of resources in healthcare delivery.
Dr. Salako explained that the Initiative was also an element of the Renewed Hope Agenda which had the potential to save foreign exchange, create jobs, reduce cost of care and medical tourism as well as improve the economy and health status of Nigerians.
“Without good diagnostics, we can not deliver on any of the 4 pillars of the health sector renewal investment initiative. Through this approach, we will be able to address longstanding challenges in diagnostic services, such as fragmentation, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to high-quality services, particularly in underserved communities.”
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, who was represented by the Director, Hospital Services, Salaudeen Jimoh maintained that Diagnostics were instrumental to influencing over 70% of medical decisions and fundamental to effective healthcare delivery.
“This summit affords a unique opportunity to evaluate our progress, identify obstacles, and formulate actionable strategies aimed at transforming the diagnostic landscape in Nigeria.”
The World Health Organisation Country’s representative, Dr. Laxmikant Chavan, reaffirmed its commitment to providing technical and strategic support to the Federal Ministry of Health and the Medical Lab Service Division in advancing lab services, strengthening diagnostic networks, and ensuring sustainable access to high-quality diagnostics for all Nigerians.
