It was all round fun, Pageantry and celebration at the doctor’s house, Bashiri in Ado Ekiti as the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP) ended the year with a big treat, grand style party and lecture for it’s members on Friday, 19th December, 2025.
In his keynote address, the chairman of the association, Dr Joseph Oguntoye stated that the private sector remains a critical pillar of the health system and the full inclusion of it’s members in key state and national programmes is essential for achieving universal health coverage in Ekiti State.
Dr Oguntoye who earlier said in his speech that, the gathering was not only to celebrate but also to reflect on the remarkable strides the association has made noted some achievements of the association in the past one year.
According to him, the decisive intervention of his excellency, Mr Biodun Oyebanji in reducing and in many cases, eliminating the burden of multiple taxation on the private medical facilities is a milestone achievement.
Oguntoye noted that this single action has brought significant relief to the members of the association and has strengthened the environment for quality healthcare delivery in the private sector in the state.
Among other achievements according to the chairman include, mobilization of all members for timely payment of their state and national dues and payment of various taxes on behalf of all members to the government through the staff and officers of the state board of internal revenue.
Others include, regular attendance and active participation in NEC meetings, ensuring that the voice of Ekiti State is consistently heard at the national level, advocacy visit to members across the state which enhanced Sensitisation, improved engagement, increased membership drive and strengthened the unity of the association among others.
Speaking further, Dr Oguntoye said, “all over the years we have been practising, our members are doing well in their various facilities and have contributed a lot to the health care delivery in the state. According to statistics report, the private sector contributed up to 60 to 70 percent of health care delivery in the country, which is not different from what is obtainable in Ekiti State.
“I expect that our members should jeer up the more and be more committed to the growth of the association in terms of the medical strength and I believe that with this Sensitisation, we will continue to increase in number.” He concluded.
Dr Olumide Obe representing the Commissioner for Health and Human services, Dr Oyebanji Filani while delivering his address said, the Ekiti State government ably led by Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji recognised the impact of the private sector in the realisation of the shared prosperity agenda and it is with this that the state government associates with the members of the distinguish association in the heart warming event which is to refresh after one year of tedious and rigorous works.
Dr Obe on behalf of the Commissioner for Health and Human services appreciated the organisers of the event for putting up such a beautiful get together and stated further that, the honourable Commissioner and other members of the ministry are very proud of the private sector and practitioners but advised not to forget the commitment of the administration to ensuring quality healthcare.
Obe reiterated further that, quality service strives on the tripod of cost, assess and safety, therefore, cooperating with these pillars of tripod will ensure full delivery of best services to the patients at all times.
He noted that the government of Ekiti State enjoy the working relationship between the private and the public sector and will go to any length to ensure the sweetness of the relationship.
While delivering his lecture on the theme: “Association of Private Medical Practitioners in Ekiti State, the Journey So Far,” the speaker, Dr Odunayo Fagbeyiro said,the missionaries played a big role in the emergence of private hospitals in the state citing example of Ile- Abiye hospital which was formerly Our saviour hospital established by the Anglican church and Mary Assumpta hospital established by the Catholic church as examples of the impact of the missionaries in the advent of private hospitals in Ekiti.
Speaking further Dr Fagbeyiro said with the establishment of general hospitals, the doctors working in the hospitals started offering private medical practices in the communities as they grew in number, there and then, began the establishment of private medical centres.
Dr Fagbeyiro stressed further that, because of the poor renumeration giving to the doctors coupled with the poor funding of the hospitals by government, doctor in other to satisfy the urge to give the best according to what is called best global practice decided to opt out of government services to establish their own facilities.
He posited further that from late 70s to early 80s, there was steady increase in numbers of doctors that were going into full time private practice. Noting further, Fagbeyiro said out of the 535 total health facilities in Ekiti State, 155 of them are private facilities. He also maintained that private medical practice has brought significant positive impact on the health sector in Ekiti State.
Counting the gains, Fagbeyiro said it has greatly reduced the burden on public facilities, creating employment and improving overall service quality and also, offers specialised services to the people. The speaker also said the emergence of private hospitals have helped to achieve the goal of universal health coverage which is what the federal government is preaching and also offered expansion on health care that enhance the geographical coverage of health care services,and also, offering big booster and quality services to the local communities.
However, the peak of the event was the presentation of awards to seven distinguished doctors who have contributed one way or the other to the growth of the association and the medical sector. Among the awardees were, Dr Oyebanji Filani, Dr Odunayo Fagbeyiro, the Pioneer chairman in the state, Dr seyi Ogunleye, Dr Pius Okpoko, Dr yekini T J, Dr Dapo Tade and Dr Olusola Oguntoye.
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