Stanbic IBTC Bank has said that improving the health consciousness of the nation’s working population is critical to boosting productivity. It was in line with this that the financial institution recently gathered experts from the industry and the health sector for a breakfast session in Lagos to chart progressive path for the business of healthcare in the country.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC, Dr. Demola Sogunle stressed the need for employees to be health conscious while pursuing organisational goals.
Sogunle said the company has also introduced some packages to support healthcare providers in the country to meet their aspirations. He said: “In the spirit of driving Nigeria’s growth, Stanbic IBTC Bank has continued to avail credit to healthcare entities, thereby supporting hospitals, pharmaceutical firms, HMOs, and diagnostics centres nationwide. We are very passionate about wellness in the communities we serve, and we throw our weight behind the health sector in Nigeria.”
Urging the healthcare service providers to explore the company’s tailored offerings, he said: “We are confident that technology and financing innovation can improve healthcare access, even in the face of macro challenges. We are committed to supporting your visions.
“Together, let us advance Nigeria’s journey to Universal Health Coverage, improve standards of living, as well as reduce outbound expenditures that arise from medical tourism, as we unearth opportunities for collaboration and strengthen the healthcare value chain for sustainable progress,” he said.
The Managing Director, JNC International Limited, Clare Omatseye, called for strategic partnerships, saying collaboration is a fundamental element for the transformation of any sector, including healthcare.
“There are other key stakeholders in the system that we may need to consider which include the banking industry, the pharmaceutical industry, alliance of other private sector players interested in the development of healthcare, technical and financial donors, among others,” he said.
However, he said that innovative development financing (long-term and affordable) is a major precursor to unlocking nascent partnerships in healthcare infrastructure, training the workers and service provision.
Omatseye called for Public Private Partnerships (PPP’s), saying it remain the most viable options for improving infrastructure and access to healthcare.
