By Chinonso Vincent

We Nigerians have all been calling for isolation in a bid to abate the spread of coronavirus in the country. While that is necessary, it is not as easy as preparing for what could become, if the state of things deteriorates beyond what it is now. Yes, we must expect the best but we must not fail to prepare for the worst.

One particularly key area that should bother us is how we can maximize ALL the health facilities we currently have in delivering care because the Federal medical centers alone will not be enough. On a normal day, when there isn’t an emergency or pandemic, our health centers often run out of beds. How much more when preparing for a virus that is overpowering big countries who not only have enough medical facilities for their citizens but also have the resources and capacity to immediately build a 1000-bedded hospital in six days, unlike us. This is the conversation we should be having at this time.

What is the government doing to involve and even assist private hospitals and medical service providers in the combat against #Covid19? I propose that the Federal Ministry of Health, State Government health ministries and all other relevant government agencies should immediately reach out to and partner with all standard private medical institutions. We should not wait until the situation is dire before we suddenly realize that there are many private facilities with ventilators (and other life-support equipment) and empty hospital beds — who wouldn’t be receiving (any) cases by then.

I know how expensive it is already for private health facilities to remain afloat while managing #Covid19 in a rent-seeking society, at this time. Will the Federal Ministry of Health support them in any way, or are we going to just see it as; “their patients, their businesses…” as always? Just so you know, if one small private hospital somewhere mismanages a case for the lack or shortage of facilities/materials (like PPE materials, infrared thermometers, sanitizers, test kits, etc), we ALL will suffer for it. Yes, even those of us that have practiced the best of hygiene all along!

Again, there are many top private hospitals with better facilities than even the “majority” of our state-owned health centers. Many of these centers will outrightly downsize their operations or totally close up (if the government doesn’t reach out to them NOW) because that would eventually be the only option they shall have to continue to stay afloat in the coming days.

That said, we should not also forget that there are many other conditions that our citizens will need to go to hospitals for, and many of these conditions could equally kill if not attended to. God forbid, there happens a woman in labor who isn’t accepted into a private facility for being at high risk of Coronavirus (or for even being positive of the disease). How will she survive it, if such a private facility is the closest option she has? Let’s also consider that many of those who have other diseases and are at high risk of Coronavirus (or already infected) would equally be left to die if the private facilities become no longer able to meet up their running cost at this time, and therefore close. The truth is, “death is death and, whether it be a consequence of Coronavirus or any other treatable ailment”, and should therefore not be permitted.

The government should as a matter of urgency, reach out to private facilities, partner with them, and support them to continue to keep up with the cost of staying afloat while trying to meet the many demands of managing the Coronavirus outbreak. I hope this helps.

Thanks for reading. Endeavor to share and create the right awareness. Together we shall defeat #Covid19.

LINK: https://medium.com/@VvincentNonso/combating-covid19-effectively-nigerian-government-must-partner-with-private-hospitals-now-a29d5a1f0296

I have always believed synergy between private and public sector is the way to go. I hope people in power gets to read this. Thank you TheVictorious

This is an option, however I believe speedy testing and isolation of new cases is the most potent weapon/strategy to curtail its spread.
Only the truly advanced nations can quickly come up with fast and accurate testkits. As for OP, I believe your suggestion goes to the cure and management of infected people.

We simple don't have what it takes to manage the situation.

Standing5:
This is an option, however I believe speedy testing and isolation of new cases is the most potent weapon/strategy to curtail its spread.
Only the truly advanced nations can quickly come up with fast and accurate test kits. As for OP, I believe your suggestion goes to the cure and management of infected people.

We simple don't have what it takes to manage the situation.

Not just hospitals, the government should partner with every single health institution in order to keep them afloat. But for hospitals, it's very important. Do you know the big problem, private hospitals are being left to confront this challenge alone as ther private problem, with no assistance of the government. All the donations made to this effect are not even being circulated to them. They are meant to IMPORT their own facemasks, gloves, sanitizers, testing kits, and everything!!! Imagine what would happen for one who doesn't have the wherewithal, and they continue to see patients. The only option will be to close down. Now imagine if all the big private hospitals close down with their equipment, medical staff, beds, ventilators, and life-saving devices. Everybody will be left with the government hospitals that are prone to running out of beds even when there is no pandemic. That is just too dangerous. And Lalasticlala, the points raised in this article are just too dangerous to overlook. Please help share.