BIMPE ADEBIYI
Mobilising Hospitals
TEAM LEAD
NATIONAL CASE MANAGEMENT FOR COVID DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF HOSPITAL SERVICES, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HEALTH
Dr Adebimpe Adebiyi is a Dental Surgeon, Public Health Service Administrator, Manager and Planner with a career of over 27 years in the Federal Ministry of Health traversing various areas of the Nigerian Healthcare delivery system, including general dental practice, manpower development, healthcare financing, coordination and supervision of Federal Tertiary Health Institutions.
She is currently responsible for initiating policy formulation, monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of health policies on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health as well as Elderly care, Nutrition and Health Promotion.
In the course of her stepwise career, she has facilitated, participated in and organized workshops, seminars and panel discussions locally and at international levels. She has also held several administrative and managerial positions including the Chief Dental Officer for Nigeria from November 2009 to April 2016. She had a stint as the Acting Director, Department of Hospital Services from May to June, 2016 before her appointment as Director/Head, Department of Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria in July, 2016, a position she holds till date.
In 2013, Dr Adebiyi was conferred with the Membership of the prestigious National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies and in 2014 she became a Fellow of the International College of Dentists in recognition of her contributions to the development of the Nigerian Oral Healthcare system.
Her personal career goal is to use her God-given prowess in transforming inefficient systems to internationally acceptable performance standards pivoted on cost effective models.
Adebiyi states that scientists were working on a global effort to find the best drugs to treat the virus and while there is no cure for COVID-19 at this time, plans are in place to harness herbal medicine for the clinical management of COVID-19 patients in the country. According to her, the general response to the pandemic so far, in lieu of a vaccine, has been to effectively manage the growing number of cases in the country.
Adebiyi said this has been achieved with effective coordination between the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and states to bolster their preparedness and response activities through the deployment of teams to support the capacity of health workers trained in various states. She explained that the support given by the ministry of health, and NCDC to states included guidelines and procedures to support the work of health care workers managing patients. She, however, stressed the need to incorporate mental health support in the ongoing case management for COVID-19 patients, stressing the consequences that could arise if not properly addressed. She added that as more information was determined about the virus, strategies for management of cases would be adapted in the hope that with better state management of the response, there will be a stronger and hopefully, long-lasting management of the pandemic in Nigeria.