Dr. El Hadji Malick Niang was elected the new president of the Union of Private Sector Physicians at a general assembly held this Saturday in Dakar. He succeeds Dr. Abdou Kane Diop with the stated ambition of further uniting private practitioners around the major challenges facing the sector.

Upon taking office, the new president immediately placed the unity of private physicians at the heart of his mandate. "One of our top priorities is to unite private physicians to address the challenges related to pricing, recognition of our profession, and the development of our practices," he stated. According to him, only collective action will allow the sector's demands to be effectively voiced.

Among the major issues discussed was the fight against the illegal practice of medicine. The union intends to work closely with the Ministry of Health and the Medical Council, considered essential pillars in curbing this phenomenon. However, Dr. Niang insists: "It is through the unity of private physicians that we can truly combat this scourge."

The issue of taxation for private clinics is also a point of contention. The new board plans to open negotiations with the authorities to find a balance. "Taxation applies to all businesses, but a framework for consultation is necessary to take into account the specific characteristics of the healthcare sector," he emphasized.

Another critical issue is that of outstanding payments related to third-party payment. Many clinics are facing reimbursement delays from insurance companies and health insurance funds, sometimes accumulating over several years. This situation severely strains their cash flow. "It's a real bottleneck for private healthcare facilities," warns Dr. Niang, who has made it a key priority of his term.

The union also intends to work to improve access to healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations. To this end, it encourages the establishment of private facilities in areas underserved by the state, offering 24/7 healthcare services throughout the country.

Digitalization is also among the new office's strategic priorities. It is seen as a key lever for improving the performance and efficiency of private healthcare services. Finally, Dr. Niang mentioned the urgent need to review the nomenclature and fees for medical procedures, which have remained unchanged for nearly 25 years. This long-awaited reform could help streamline the sector's operations.

Faced with these numerous challenges, the new president calls for concrete and rapid progress, while relying on dialogue with the authorities to bring about lasting change in the private health system in Senegal.