The Federal Ministry of Health would be partnering with Media Trust Limited, publishers of Daily Trust newspapers for its future medical conferences and exhibition programmes.
Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole made the promise on Thursday during the second edition of the ‘All things medical conference and exhibition’ in Abuja.
The conference was organised by Media Trust Limited, in collaboration with Prompt Home Health and other partners. It is aimed at showcasing and harnessing Nigerian’s health facilities and services, as well as charting discussions on improving the country’s health system.
The minister commended Media Trust for the conference, saying it was a necessary platform for change in the health sector.
“We want to thank Media Trust for putting this together. Daily Trust is really helping and I think this type of programme will galvanize what the country needs, and will also help to move the health system forward.
“We hope that this will not be the first and the last. Usually, starting during the first one requires a lot of efforts but making regular programme requires more efforts and we want to assure you that during subsequent ones, we will partner with you so that we are really part of the organization.
“Let me thank you for eliciting discussions on the healthcare system in Nigeria. It is my hope that this conference will stimulate interest and support for better healthcare in Nigeria”, he said.
The minister also commended Media Trust for the theme of this year’s conference ‘Building a 21st century health care delivery system in Nigeria: The way Forward’. He described it as futuristic and also a recognition of the fact that we are not satisfied with status quo .
Prof Adewole said the country needed to look beyond building facilities, saying the critical things that make up health system are human resources, commodities, drugs and vaccines.
Chief Operating Officer of Media Trust Limited, Abhay Desai said Nigeria has garnered quality facilities and medical personnel over the years that the citizenry can harness instead of engaging in medical tourism.
While saying that medical doctors in Nigeria were as good as anywhere else in the world, he said it was important for the country to celebrate its indigenous services and personnel.