The Senate Committee on Health has announced plans to reform the hospital finance system, aiming to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, promote fiscal responsibility, and enhance healthcare services nationwide. The committee’s Chairperson, Ipanibo Harry-Banigo, made the announcement during a visit to the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

In their assessment, Harry-Banigo commended the hospital’s management for fulfilling its mandate by excelling in the primary aspects of delivering top-notch healthcare services to patients, implementing commendable training programs, and engaging in productive research pursuits.

She praised the Medical Director, Prof Adewale Musa-Olomu, for overseeing numerous infrastructure enhancements at the facility since assuming office in 2017.

The purpose of the visit, as elucidated by Harry-Banigo, was to evaluate the center’s implementation of the 2023 budget allocation.

Accompanied by Dr. Paul Agboola, the Provost and Medical Director of the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro in Abeokuta, the committee chairperson expressed contentment with the reports presented by the two Medical Directors, underscoring their team’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the health sector.

Additionally, Harry-Banigo pledged to explore avenues for budget enhancements and propose innovative solutions to address the center’s recurring expenses highlighted in the reports, with the goal of alleviating financial strains on hospitals.

In response, Musa-Olomu urged the committee to delve into the challenges posed by inadequate electricity supply and the outsourcing of services, emphasizing the prevalent financial strain hospitals face due to substantial monthly spending on diesel.

Despite these hurdles, he expressed satisfaction with the ongoing transformation within the center and affirmed his dedication to upholding service excellence until the conclusion of his tenure.