By Blessing Otobong-Gabriel
Federal government has commenced a national summit on diagnostics to offer a pivotal platform to underscore the significance of diagnostics in delivering efficient, effective, resilient and responsive healthcare.
Speaking on the theme of the summit taking place in Abuja, ‘Unlocking Healthcare Value Chains and Improving Universal Health Coverage through Integrated Diagnostic Services, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako said the summit serves as a catalyst to reaffirm the commitment to bolster diagnostics’ role in achieving government’s health agenda at all levels.
According to him, diagnostics lies at the core of the healthcare value chain, encompassing prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, adding that accurate disease detection, effective treatment planning and continuous patient monitoring rely heavily on well-integrated diagnostic services.
“Without such a framework, aspiration for improved healthcare delivery, Universal Health Coverage, UHC, will remain elusive.,” he said.
He noted that the private sector and experts convened to discuss strategies for strengthening diagnostic capabilities, enhancing healthcare outcomes and promoting a more responsive healthcare system.
“The experience of COVID-19 pandemic underscored the indispensable role of diagnosis in managing public health emergencies.
“Leveraging the lessons learnt from the experience provides us an opportunity to build a stronger diagnostic ecosystem that not only meets routine healthcare needs, but also enhances national health security and pandemic preparedness.
“A strong and well-coordinated diagnostic system is not only vital for clinical decision-making, but also for disease surveillance, health data management and ensuring timely interventions.
“The goal should be how to integrate diagnostic services into the broader healthcare value chain so as to enhance efficiency, improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare cost in the long run.
“As the summit progresses, key stakeholders will delve into critical issues surrounding diagnostics, including improving diagnostic accuracy enhancing precision to ensure timely and effective treatment, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, developing robust healthcare systems that prioritise diagnostics and patient care and promoting Universal Health Coverage to ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare, including diagnostics, for all,” the minister added.
In a keynote speech, former president of Nigeria Academy of Science and current president of the West Africa Network of National Academies of Science, WANNAs, commended the federal government, saying the summit would pave way for a more robust and self sustaining healthcare system in Nigeria, ensuring greater access to quality diagnostic services for all.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Daju Kachollom said the theme of the summit reflects the federal government’s commitment to strengthen the health system.
