Crisis in healthcare: Open letter to Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Good morning Sir, permit me to go straight to the point. Our Healthcare delivery system is in a morbid state. It has been hijacked by the philistines who have now turned it into a hubris of death. Daily we hear and feel the pains of Lagosians losing loved ones in the hands of these merchants of death.

I for one do not subscribe to the popular believe that it is the Government fault. The Government may have its own fair share of blame but I want to believe very strongly that the madness we see in this sector is attitudinal fed by a lack of capacity and a dearth in the necessary passion needed to operate within the system.

People have taken advantage of the dislocation in the Public Healthcare delivery system to forge on unsuspecting Lagosians a system that has led to the death of thousands while pumping funds into the pockets of a few who masquerade themselves as Healthcare delivery players.

My Lord, you have come to governance with a different approach. Remember that at your emergence, I was one of your most reluctant supporters but recently your approach to governance and the practicality of your engagement has more or less silenced me.

The pragmatic approach you took at the inception of the pandemic and the policies your administration forged has kept Lagosians although hosting the epicenter of the scourge relatively safe and for this we thank you.

My fervent request Your Excellency is to look very critically at Health Care delivery in the state especially the Private arm. Look at its funding, Human Capital, regulatory capacity, training and certification amongst others.

Kindly cause a wholesome overhaul of the whole system with a view to recalibrating the whole value chain.

Special attention should be looked at ownership structure of these Hospitals especially at the level of the Medical Directors. A new code of conduct be thrown up and monitoring and engagement strengthened.

Sir, we should also look at strengthening autopsy, post mortem capacity and every death MUST go through an inquest. Even if it is to set up a new regulatory body for that sole intent because when people know that a thorough inquest will be carried out we will have more care.

My Lord, the issue of pricing should also be looked at. Yes, they are private institutions and must appropriately price their services viz their cost of being in business but how do you explain the N30m some of these were charging for Covid and still were recording a 70% mortality rate.

Sir, Lagosians cannot be dying of Fibroid under your watch in specialized high brow Hospitals who charge an arm and a leg. Your Excellency Lagosians cannot be dying of diabetes due to mismanagement of the process under your watch? Sir, Lagosians cannot be dying of Malaria and typhoid under your watch.

We are proposing a middle of the road solution. We would be launching a citizen driven Trust Fund that would partner with your Government in strengthening capacity of public health institutions especially in the areas of training, equipment and welfare while also engaging serious and well-run private institutions in the same areas. This for me is a better way to change the narrative instead of flooding social media with tears and lamentations.

My Lord, I know you will in your characteristic manner turn your search light into this issue and bring justice and succor to your people.

Well-done on the ongoing Massey Street Hospital, I know this will surely impact very seriously the sector.

Thanks, and God bless.