Sterling Bank Recognized for Healthcare Financing at Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards
Sterling Bank Plc has been honored with the prestigious title of Outstanding Healthcare Financial Institution of the Year at the 2025 Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA). This accolade underscores Sterling Bank’s significant contributions to advancing healthcare in Nigeria, particularly its commitment to financing innovative healthcare solutions and broadening access to quality medical care for citizens across the country. The award ceremony, held in Lagos, served as a platform to acknowledge and celebrate exceptional achievements by individuals and organizations dedicated to enhancing healthcare delivery in Nigeria. The minister of state for health and social welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, commended the award recipients for their remarkable contributions, emphasizing their role in strengthening the nation’s health system.
The NHEA, now in its eleventh edition, recognized a diverse range of players in the healthcare sector, demonstrating the breadth and depth of excellence within the industry. Among the other honorees were leading healthcare institutions, both public and private, including the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, recognized as the top Public Tertiary Healthcare Facility of the Year, and Duchess International Hospital, named the Private Tertiary Healthcare Facility of the Year. The awards also highlighted achievements in health insurance, with Katsina State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency and Lagos State Health Management Agency sharing the State Government Health Insurance of the Year award. These awards acknowledge not only the quality of care provided by these institutions but also their impactful contributions to their respective communities.
Extending beyond tertiary care, the awards recognized excellence at the secondary healthcare level as well. Ikorodu General Hospital and R-Jolad Hospital received accolades as the top Public and Private Secondary Healthcare Facility of the Year, respectively, highlighting the crucial role these institutions play in providing accessible and essential medical services. Furthermore, the awards acknowledged contributions to specialized care, with organizations like Leadway Health Limited, recognized as the Health Maintenance Organization of the Year, and EHA Clinics, receiving the Innovative Healthcare Service Provider of the Year award. These awards demonstrate the NHEA’s commitment to recognizing innovation and quality across the spectrum of healthcare provision.
Several specialized medical services were also recognized for their exceptional contributions. The Bridge Clinic was awarded IVF Service Provider of the Year, highlighting advancements in reproductive health. Zenith Medical & Kidney Centre, Abuja, received the Dialysis Service Provider of the Year award, underscoring the vital role of specialized centers in providing life-sustaining treatments. Eye Foundation Hospital and Smile360 Dental Specialists were recognized as leading providers in their respective specialties of eye care and dental care. These awards showcase the breadth of specialized medical services available within Nigeria and the commitment of these institutions to providing high-quality, specialized care.
The awards extended to critical care providers and pharmaceutical distributors, recognizing the essential role they play within the healthcare system. Medserve-LUTH Cancer Centre was recognized as the Oncology Centre of the Year, demonstrating the crucial role played by specialized cancer treatment facilities. Codix Pharma Limited was honored with the Technology-Driven Pharmaceutical Distributor of the Year award, recognizing their commitment to innovation and efficient distribution of essential medications. These awards highlight the interconnectedness of the healthcare sector and the importance of collaborative efforts to ensure effective and efficient delivery of care.
Beyond medical services, the NHEA also recognized excellence in healthcare media, highlighting the importance of accurate and informed reporting in the sector. Pharmanews Ltd. and Nigeria Health Watch received awards for their outstanding contributions to healthcare journalism in print and electronic media, respectively. These awards emphasize the pivotal role played by healthcare media in disseminating vital information, promoting health awareness, and contributing to public discourse on critical health issues. The awards further underscore the NHEA’s comprehensive approach to recognizing excellence across various domains that contribute to the overall health ecosystem. The ceremony also included special recognitions under the PharmAccess SafeCare Awards and DCL NHEA Awards, demonstrating further commitment to quality and innovation in healthcare delivery.
The NHEA, themed “Collaborating for Impact: Strengthening Health Systems through the SWAp Approach,” received an impressive number of nominations and public votes, reflecting growing public engagement and trust in the healthcare sector. The chairman of the NHEA advisory board, Dr. Anthony Omolola, emphasized the significance of the awards, stating that they serve to reinforce a culture of quality, competitiveness, and commitment to saving lives. Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State also received a Special Recognition Award acknowledging his transformative initiatives in his state’s healthcare sector. The ceremony concluded with calls for increased cross-sector collaboration and a stronger commitment from the government to bolster health systems nationwide, reaffirming the collective responsibility of improving healthcare for all Nigerians.
