The Untapped Gold Mine Of PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES That Virtually No One Knows About
Medical Venture Capital:
An Untapped Gold Mine, The 14th Emir of Kano's child, was admitted to a tertiary hospital some time ago (I hear a particular word is now forbidden). While on vacation, the 14th Emir of Kano's child was admitted to a tertiary hospital, according to what I understand. While visiting his child, he complained about Public Health Services the deteriorating infrastructure, peeling paint, cheap tiles, and stained bathroom fixtures. In addition, he was puzzled about how such a powerful teaching hospital could not have a room suitable for a king's child.
But, neither our VIP rooms nor amenity wards met his standards. And even though many people may dismiss this as a materialistic or capitalist mindset, I saw how the hospital could make money.
Adesina Femi:
Nigerians are more drawn to Buhari than Awolowo, Azikiwe, and Aminu Kano. Welcome to medical entrepreneurship! Residents of Sokoto complain about government neglect as an epidemic approaches. Nowadays, the term "entrepreneurship" has been used so frequently that it has become synonymous with "hustling," immediately evoking images of people selling random items online to persuade you to purchase. However, the fundamental tenet of entrepreneurship is identifying a need and proposing a solution in addition to making money. Additionally, the Nigerian healthcare system has numerous things that could be improved.
If the hospital built a posh suite that wealthy patients could use during hospital stays and charge astronomical prices, would they ever use it? Yes, in every sense of the word! The Dangotes and Dantatas would visit the hospital for these services alone. A tertiary hospital with the best minds and the suitable suite for them; They'd rush it along. Without this, experts are sometimes forced to welcome royalty and the super-rich into their posh homes, which is completely unprofessional.
I once heard from a patient that she goes to an exclusive
Abuja hospital for her deliveries because of the rooms and nursing services. The luxury suite has a sitting room for guests and two rooms with doors that connect them. The pregnant woman occupies one space, while her caregiver occupies the other. Two nurses are assigned to the patient at any time during labor—one to rub her back and feet and the other to monitor her vital signs and report her progress to the obstetrician. Depending on the method used, whether vaginal or Caesarean, a hospital birth costs between two and five million Nigerian nairas. Doesn't that sound crazy? However, people frequent this hospital, and almost always, a pregnant woman is admitted at any time. Some individuals are reluctant to deliver outside the country. The hospital's owner, a doctor, found a solution that not only fills a significant void but also makes him money.
The treatment of cancer is yet another omission from our healthcare system. Despite how arrogant this may sound, a significant gap in cancer treatment is begging to be filled. Depending on Health Issues the stage and type of the tumor, the three main components of cancer treatment are as follows: Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. I will initially concentrate on radiotherapy and chemotherapy for this subject.
The country currently has only three radiotherapy facilities:
Lagos, Enugu, and Abuja. These devices are insufficient to combat a disease that kills nearly 72,000 people annually. There used to be machined in Gombe and Zaria, but I've heard that the machines have failed and need to be fixed. You will cry during your visit to the radiotherapy unit. The number of individuals in need is extensive, but the machines must be increased. Keep in mind that these individuals can pay for radiotherapy. So, even if you have money, getting radiotherapy in Nigeria is an arduous task. As a result, able individuals must travel to Cairo, South Africa, and India for radiotherapy to shrink their tumors.
Have we considered how profitable it would be to construct an oncology center?
If a billionaire purchased a radiotherapy machine and hired professionals, wouldn't that significantly lessen the demand for public hospitals? Because the government has a monopoly on the equipment, many middle-class Nigerians only go to government hospitals because they can afford them. However, the concept is more complex than it appears. Capital is required for healthcare investments. Consumables, electricity, and personnel are among the other obstacles besides acquiring the machines. A flexible business plan and herculean patience are needed to make money from this venture. However, it is doable. Grants and partnerships come into play at this point. I can guarantee that the business will flourish once patients know they can walk in or schedule an early appointment for their radiotherapy sessions.
Similarly, chemotherapy rooms.
To receive their IV medications, cancer patients who are outpatients must go to the wards or procedure rooms. The procedure is frustrating and occasionally depresses them. Patients' lives would be easier to manage, and relationships would be strengthened if a lounge was equipped with comfortable chairs and drip stands to sit and receive their medication while gisting, watching television, or even praying. Multiple studies have shown positive communication during cancer treatments to improve outcomes. If these devices were made, patients would have to pay for them each time they were used. With just a bit of capital, the hospital would have created an additional revenue stream. Win-win!
Dialysis is yet another gold mine.
If only the Otedolas had known how much money they could make building a dialysis clinic where outpatients could come in at their convenience two to three times per week and pay twice or three times as much as they would in a government hospital, they would have built over 50 centers by now. Nigeria has less than ten private dialysis centers, most located in Lagos, Ibadan, and Abuja. End-Stage renal disease is a chronic illness in which Public Health Services patients may require dialysis for up to twenty years before passing away or receiving a transplant. These need to be more. Additionally, this condition is becoming more common. As a result, having a clinic where they can quickly get dialysis twice a week without waiting in long lines or having to quit their jobs or move to another country is a solution they would gladly accept.
And if all of these concepts seem overwhelming, setting up a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is more straightforward.
They are businesses that can only manage how healthcare services are delivered by Health Care Facilities (like hospitals, dentists, and so on) and endorsed by the Scheme. They serve as a middleman between businesses that want to provide healthcare for their employees, their families, and the hospital. A list of healthcare facilities that provide services to its clients (companies) is part of an HMO. The HMO then promotes its products and services to businesses that want to offer their employees health insurance. The industry pays the HMO premium once an agreement is reached. The company will receive coverage for healthcare services subject to certain conditions in exchange for the paid premium within a predetermined time frame (typically one year).
Even though investing in healthcare requires a lot of capital, the potential rewards could be priceless.