Federal Government Calls for General Hospital Overhaul

The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated a call for the overhaul of general hospitals across the states to address significant gaps in the healthcare system and alleviate pressure on tertiary health facilities. Dr Samuel Oyeniyi, the Director of the Reproductive Health Division at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, made this announcement during a webinar organized by the Doctors Medical Aid Foundation on October 1.

He highlighted that many patients bypass secondary healthcare facilities, traveling long distances to tertiary hospitals, which adds strain to these facilities. Oyeniyi urged state governments to enhance general hospitals by improving infrastructure, staffing, and service delivery.

The Federal Government is also looking to support secondary healthcare improvements and has proposed the recruitment of 4,000 nurses and midwives to address workforce shortages. Additionally, medical training capacity is being expanded, and simulation centers are being developed in Kano and Ekiti to enhance practical training for health workers.