By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Some healthcare providers who were exceptional during the COVID-19 pandemic have been honoured at the Nigeria Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA) with support from Sterling Bank Plc.
At the 8th annual event held in Lagos over the weekend, special recognition awards were given to Medbury Medical Services as the Most Responsive COVID-19 Testing Company of the Year and Seven-UP Bottling Company Plc as the Most Outstanding COVID-19 Consumables Manufacturer of the Year. Other recipients were the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID), Redeemers University in Ede, Osun State as the Most Outstanding Genomics Laboratory of the Year and Nassarawa State as the Most Outstanding State for COVID-19 Vaccination.
Speaking on the occasion themed Innovative Healthcare Services in the Era of Change, the Group Head of Health Finance at Sterling Bank, Ms Ibironke Akinmade, explained that the bank recognised and honoured the champions of the COVID-19 pandemic because of the excellent services they rendered while the pandemic was raging in a bid to spur them to do more.
“Sterling Bank is committed to improving access to healthcare for every Nigerian and our flagship offering – digitisation of State Health Insurance Platform – prefers 360-degree solution to help states bring healthcare to every citizen as well as provide a wealth of data to inform policies, planning and strategy, at no initial investment,” she said.
The Divisional Head of Business Growth and Transaction Banking at Sterling Bank, Mr Obinna Ukachukwu, while speaking at the event, had observed that the lender recognised the role that NHEA is playing in the health sector by rewarding excellence and promoting positive outcomes in the sector.
He noted that Sterling Bank, a leading player in the financing of the health sector, decided to come on board to further support the excellence and growth of the sector.
On his part, the Minister of Health, Mr Ehanire Osagie, who was represented by the Managing Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Yaba, Lagos, Dr Adedamola Dada, commended the organisers of the awards and remarked that the purpose of recognising and rewarding healthcare professionals that contributed to efficient and quality healthcare services is to foster excellence and sustain the quality.
“Good healthcare delivery is a key objective of this present administration,” he declared.
Chairman of the Advisory Board of NHEA, Dr Anthony Omolola, while speaking said, “Over the years, NHEA has continued to strive to deliver new and creative ways to honour excellence across the healthcare space. This year’s is not different at all. At these awards, we are paying attention to those who pioneered innovative healthcare services in the era of change.”
NHEA Executive Secretary, Ms Vivian Alkali, expressed the confidence that with Sterling Bank’s partnership and support, subsequent editions of NHEA will meet with greater success.
NHEA is an initiative of Global Health Projects and Resources in collaboration with Anadach Group of the United States of America. It is a yearly event where individuals and organisations are recognised and celebrated for their exceptional contributions to the healthcare sector.
The initiative, through its eminent team’s research and innovation, has continued to encourage improvements and focus on the quality and standard of service provided by various stakeholders in the industry.
Adedapo Adesanya