By GABRIEL OLAWALE

COexistence and group practice within the private sector have been identified as essential factors to close some of the observed heath care gaps and guarantee advancement of the nation’s health care industry.

Disclosing this in Lagos, Chief of Party, Strengthening Health Outcomes through the Private Sector, SHOP, Mrs. Ayodele Iroko said the principle of group co-existence and practice in the health sector, needed to be better explored for the sake of the patient. Iroko, who spoke during a seminar tagged;“Enhancing Private Health Sector Growth and Development in Nigeria”, affirmed that the only way to improve private health sector is to embrace group practice.

She observed that many practitioners are limited in operation and resources but when they pool such resources together there would be better lease of life for the patient.

Iroko regretted that despite the willingness and the commitment of private practitioners to contribute their quota to nation’s health care delivery, the challenges of large number of small, isolated private providers who operate as sole proprietorships is overwhelm in the country. ”

Although sole proprietorships may seem the easiest form of business for health providers to establish, but it is difficult for such practices to grow and achieve economies of scale since they rely on a single provider’s expertise, financing and availability.”

She argued that group medical practice would allow them pool funds for financing, share infrastructure, investment and manage a larger client base that would help reduce unit costs of treatment.  In the meantime, SHOP will continue to provide a medium for discussion and enlightenment amongst the private provider so that they can understand the different legal options and business management considerations in creating a functional group health practice.

Chairman, Health Facilities Accreditation and Monitoring Agency, Lagos State Ministry of Health Dr. Omotayo Bello, represented by Executive Secretary, HEFAMAA, Dr. Jimmy Asuni, urged all parties to look beyond personal interest and individual agenda and embrace group interest instead.