The Managing Director of Clearline Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO), Dr. Isaac Akintunji, has reiterated the need for best practices in corporate governance in the health sector, particularly among the Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs). This, according to him, will instill public confidence in the health insurance scheme and engender growth in the industry. Akintunji, who disclosed this to The Nation, said it was imperative for corporate organisations to ensure strict adherence to best practices and ethical standards, adding that organisations needed to put sound management structures in place and promote business integrity.
Akintunji, a life member of the Institute of Directors, together with two Executive Directors of Clearline HMO, Dr Babatunde Ladele and Mr Oladapo Kolawole, urged emphasis on business integrity and enduring values. Dr. Akintunji and Dr. Ladele are medical professionals, while Rev. Kolawole is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
Noting HMOs strategic importance to the well-being of human capital that would steer any nation out of economic challenge, Dr. Akintunji pointed out that HMOs must operate with utmost integrity, professionalism and strong ethical value system, arguing that organisations that would take care of human capital’s health must first be healthy in its operating system and structures.
He challenged HMOs to ensure prompt payment of capitation and payment of claims as at when due, stressing that such would deepen the penetration of the health insurance scheme in Nigeria, and ultimately help in nurturing a virile economy since the human capital would be at the optimal performance level.
He called on operators to enthrone sincerity of purpose in the discharge of their duties, adding that care providers should adhere strictly to professional standards. Dr. Akintunji also called on regulators in the health sector to perform their oversight functions effectively. This, according to him, will eradicate unprofessional conducts that may hamper the growth of the insurance scheme in Nigeria.
The Nation
