Covid- 19: Mamora tasks CMDs to remain steadfast inspite of daunting challenges

The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora has charged Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Chief Executives of hospitals to remain steadfast in the discharge of their duties in spite of the daunting challenges faced.

Mamora during a virtual meeting held with the CMDs from various Federal Medical Centres across the Country, took time to address issues of dwindling internally generated revenue (IGR), increased cost of providing services, delay in payment of inducement allowance to health workers working in isolation centres amongst others.

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According to a statement by Olujimi Oyetomi,
Director, Information, Media & Public Relations,
Federal Ministry of Health, the minister of state who lamented that the IGR has remained a major issues for the ministry was putting in place measures to address the the issue.

“On the issue of dwindling Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) which has remain a major issue, the Ministry is in talks with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning in the area of out-source services to have a budget line and be funded regularly, but with the coming of COVD-19 plans were put on hold”, he said.

While calling for synergy between state government and frontline health workers who has been at the forefront since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Mamora added that it is only through collaborative efforts that the fight will yield success.

“There is need for synergy and collaboration with State Governments to be able to achieve results. The response of COVID-19 is led by the State with the Federal Government supporting.

“We are working on a common purpose, the FMoH would step in to appeal and solicit support from the state governments”, he added.

Dr. Mamora further reiterated the need for health workers to be educated on the consciousness of infection, prevention and control (IPC) to further limit or eliminate infections.

He further address the issue of inappropriate demand for PPEs and demand for only N95 masks by staff before they can work saying, “N95 masks should be reserved for those going into the ward for surgical procedures, regular medical masks can be worn, PPEs must be appropriated for the right situation, there is need for understanding as well as educating staff in the use of mask, to maximize what we have”.

He urged the CEOs not to be overwhelmed, to live up to expectation, remain undaunted and never say there is no solution to whatever challenges that comes.

Earlier, the CMDs reveal efforts made by their centres to include successful treatment and discharge of COVID-19 patients; Excellent partnership/collaboration of some Centres with their host State Governors in tackling the pandemic through support purchases of ventilators, dialysis machines, ECG machines, Mobile Xray machines, donation of bed spaces and supply of consumables; PPEs and other equipment received by some centres from the Office of the First Lady, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH).

Some of the Health Care Centres reported upgrade of molecular laboratories by the NCDC for testing of samples.

Some also reported growth of local capacity in some areas like the production of sanitizers, liquid soaps, theatre caps, masks, hand washing machines which are believed that post-COVID-19, will go a long way in reducing cost of procurement as well as domesticate production of these items.