The Institute of Health Service Administrators of Nigeria, IHSAN, has urged government at all levels to increase budgetary allocations to health sector, so as to be able to effectively serve the needs of Nigerians.
IHSAN National President, Eze Okezie Chijioke said such increase, in line with the 15 per cent Abuja Declaration, will also boost hospital infrastructures and equipment.
He noted that such a step will also stem the migration of the country’s health and medical workers seeking for greener pastures abroad.
Chijioke stated this at Ido Ekiti during the 40th National Professional Development Workshop (Ist Run) Extra-ordinary Council Meeting and Induction Programme of IHSAN, with the theme, ‘Developing sustainable best practices in hospital administration’ hosted by Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti (FETHI).
IHSAN on the occasion, inducted new members and as well conferred honorary fellowship awards on FETHI Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof, Adekunle Ajayi; and the Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Ministry of Health, Mrs Olusola Gbenga-Igotun.
It also honoured the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; Prof. Ajayi; and a cleric and founder of Olu Alo Foundation, Prophet Sam Olu Alo with awards of excellence.
The institute, according to a communique at the end of the five-day programme, called on governments at National and Subnational levels to abide by the Abuja declaration to increase the health budget by at least 15 per cent, as what is currently obtainable is a far cry from the agreement.
The Institute equally encouraged governments to prioritise primary healthcare, provide quality healthcare at all levels, improve on the National Health lnsurance and pay more attention to venerable groups
Chijioke charged healthcare managers to focus attention on continuous educational development and professional trainings among health administrators with a view to developing sustainable best practices in hospital administration and ultimately in healthcare delivery”;;.
IHSAN also stressed the need for governments to strengthen health policies and demonstrate the much-needed political will to build sustainable frameworks in the health sector”;;.
In his keynote address, FETHI CMD, Prof. Ajayi, canvassed the need to rethink and revamp the approach to hospital administration, especially in the present era marked by rapid technological advancement, rising healthcare service costs, financial constraints and shortage of healthcare professionals.
Among others, Ajayi charged the health service administrators on efficiency, saying, operational efficiency is the foundation of a sustainable hospital system. Inefficiencies can lead to wasted resources, increased costs and suboptimal patient outcomes”;;.
The CMD suggested embracing technology, saying, “The adoption of AI, data analytics and automation can optimize workflows, reduce administrative burdens and improve decision making. For example, predictive analytics can help manage patient flow, prevent overcrowding and reduce wait times”;;.
Ajayi added that “implementing electronic health records will streamline patient data management, reduce paperwork and improve communication. Automating staff and patient scheduling will reduce errors and improve resource allocation, while expanding telemedicine services will improve access to care and reduce in-person visits”;;.
He charged the administrators to make the best use of the hospital resources, prioritise the wellbeing of staff and patients and strive to leave positive legacies for future generations.
In her address, IHSAN 2025 Local Organising Committee Chairman and FETHI Director of Administration, Mrs Foluso Adelegan, charged, “What can we do as health savvies to develop best practices in hospital administration in era where depletion of health personnel arises daily to JAPA syndrome and other cancerous parasites that have eaten deep into the system?
Adelegan, however, said the answers were in the qualitative papers presented at the workshop by the resource persons, who she described as seasoned professional administrators with wide experience in administrative processes.
