OAU prof asks FG to expand NHIS

Olabisi Loto, a professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) Ile-Ife, has asked the federal government to expand the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Speaking while delivering the 305 inaugural lecture of the university, entitled: ‘Give Me Children…Let Me Live: Combating the Misery of Infertility and Preventing Maternal Mortality’, Loto said there is need to cover more of the populace and provide more “therapeutic interventions to reduce the crippling out of pocket expenditure by patients”.

He advised healthcare providers and other individuals connected with childbirth to be proactive always in taking necessary steps to prevent maternal mortality.

“The government and policymakers need to make sure that our hospitals do away with the mere consulting clinic status that they have come to be known for over the years,” he said.

“They should be transformed to real functioning hospitals by improving on the funding, infrastructural development and the human capital development in these hospitals. The government also needs to expand the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to cover more of the populace as well as provide more therapeutic interventions to reduce the crippling out of pocket expenditure by patients.”

He urged government to ensure that hospitals were well equipped with necessary facilities and quality professionals that are capable of handling the situation before, during and after the childbirth.

Loto also appealed to government and policymakers to transform hospitals.

He emphasised the need to ensure adequate funding for the health sector and improvement in the infrastructural development and the human capital development in the hospitals.

“Health providers should constantly update their skills and knowledge so as to be aware of the current evidence-based best practices in the management of pregnancy, labour and delivery. They also need to improve their relationships with patients and their relatives so that they do not, inadvertently, drive them away from the hospital as a result of their attitude,” he said.

Speaking on infertility, Loto said prevention is far better and cheaper than cure.

He added that living healthy lifestyles, such as avoiding alcohol, smoking and unhealthy dietary habits will help to reduce the risk of infertility.