Sterling Bank Plc has emerged as the Outstanding Healthcare Financial Institution of the Year at the 2025 Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards, held recently in Lagos.

According to a statement, the award ceremony spotlighted institutions and individuals making significant contributions to healthcare development in Nigeria.

Organisers honoured Sterling Bank for its commitment to financing healthcare innovation and supporting access to quality medical services across the country.

Speaking during the event, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, praised the winners for setting new standards in the sector, stating, “Tonight, we witnessed proof that our health sector is rich with talent, innovation, and resilience. These winners are the foundation of a stronger health system.”

Other top winners at the 11th edition of the awards included the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, which won Public Tertiary Healthcare Facility of the Year, and Duchess International Hospital, named Private Tertiary Healthcare Facility of the Year.

Katsina State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency and Lagos State Health Management Agency jointly received the State Government Health Insurance of the Year.

The Ikorodu General Hospital and R-Jolad Hospital were awarded Public and Private Secondary Healthcare Facility of the Year, respectively. Leadway Health Limited was named Health Maintenance Organisation of the Year, while EHA Clinics received the Innovative Healthcare Service Provider of the Year award.

In the reproductive health category, The Bridge Clinic won IVF Service Provider of the Year, while Zenith Medical & Kidney Centre, Abuja, was honoured as Dialysis Service Provider of the Year. Eye Foundation Hospital clinched Eye Care Service Provider of the Year, and Smile360 Dental Specialists won Dental Service Provider of the Year.

Also recognised were Medserve-LUTH Cancer Centre as Oncology Centre of the Year and Codix Pharma Limited, which bagged Technology-Driven Pharmaceutical Distributor of the Year.

In the media category, Pharmanews Ltd won Healthcare Media Excellence (Print), while Nigeria Health Watch won in the Electronic category.

Chairman of the NHEA Advisory Board, Dr Anthony Omolola, said the awards go beyond recognition, remarking, “We are not just handing out awards; we are reinforcing a culture of quality, competitiveness, and commitment to saving lives.”

The 2025 edition, themed ‘Collaborating for Impact: Strengthening Health Systems through the SWAp Approach’, received over 25,000 nominations and thousands of public votes. The organisers said it reflected the growing engagement and public trust in the healthcare sector.

Special recognitions went to Orile Agege General Hospital and South Shore Women and Children’s Hospital under the PharmAccess SafeCare Awards, while Cerba Lancet Nigeria and MLS Samuel Aigbogun of NNPC Medicals, Mosimi, emerged winners in the DCL NHEA Awards.

Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda received a Special Recognition Award for his transformative initiatives in the state’s healthcare sector.

The ceremony ended with calls for cross-sector collaboration and stronger government commitment to improving health systems nationwide.