Kelsey Harrison Hospital Not For The Rich-Commissioner

The Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Tamunoiyoriari S. Parker, has debunked insinuations that the newly opened Kelsey Harrison hospital was for the rich.

Dr. Parker who stated this during on inspection visit, said emergency cases were free, adding that patients referred by the free medical care programme from government health facilities are also to enjoy free medical at the hospital.

The hospital according to him was built with tax payers’ money, so non tax payers will not enjoy free medical in the hospital.

He said the establishment of the hospital is expected to curtail medical tourism and  reduce the amount of money spent traveling overseas for medical attention pointing out that the hospital was built and equipped to international standard, and would be expanded when patronage became high.

The hospital, which commenced operation Monday, had several patients,  seeking medical services from the hospital. They expressed appreciation to the government for finally opening the hospital to the public.

The State Commissioner for Health, Tamunoiyoriari Parker, who visited the hospital to witness the operations of the hospital on its first day, said one of the main reasons for establishing the Kelsey Harrison Hospital was to put an end to overseas referrals.

Dr. Parker who was delighted at the number of people already seeking the services of the hospital allayed the fear that  the hospital would be underutilised, given its enormous size, saying, “by what I have seen here today and by the number of patients that have come to access health care from the facility on this first day, it is obvious that within a short period, this facility you see as too big will require expansion. “I am told that doctors started to see patients from 8.30 am”.

He stated that government invested about two billion naira to establish the 100-bed hospital, which he added is to be run in partnership with an International Hospital Management firm, International Trauma and Critical Care Limited (ITCC).

Dr. Parker said government has gone into agreement with the management of the firm to manage the hospital for the next 20 years for sustainability, with an opportunity to review the contract every five years.

In his remarks the Country Representative of the International Trauma and Critical Care Limited, Dr. Sydney Ibeanusi said the ITCC is a global concept which is articulated to ensure quality medical services is delivered to countries in the developing world like Nigeria.

He said the ITCC is partnering with the Rivers State Government to bring quality healthcare systems that will be affordable, accessible and sustainable, noting that  part of the vision is to develop human capital through the training of local personnel that will take over from the expatriates when they leave.

Tonye Nria-Dappa