The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), by adopting strategies aimed at reducing both the physical and financial burdens of healthcare on Nigerians.
In a statement to commemorate the 2024 Universal Health Coverage Day themed: “Health On The House Government,” the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, highlighted the administration’s healthcare reform initiatives, emphasizing the expansion of health insurance coverage.
“Our administration has increased the number of lives enrolled in health insurance by 14% as of Q3 2024, adding two million persons to the pool, bringing the total to eight million insured lives,” he stated.
He lamented that if similar efforts had been sustained annually since the scheme’s launch in 2005, approximately 40 million Nigerians would now have health insurance coverage.
On financial interventions, the Minister revealed that the Federal Government disbursed N45.9 billion through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to support indigent and vulnerable Nigerians.
“These equity funds by state governments complement social sector interventions, ensuring that the most in need access medical care without financial barriers,” he explained.
Addressing maternal and child health, Prof. Pate highlighted the government’s Maternal Mortality Innovative Initiative (MAMI) and the provision of free caesarean sections nationwide.
“This initiative, launched during the Joint Annual Health Sector Review in November, is complemented by the revitalization of primary healthcare facilities to enhance maternal healthcare outcomes.”
He also disclosed remarkable progress in addressing vesico vaginal fistula cases, with 879 repairs carried out across 19 centres by October 2024. “The government aims to increase this number to 2,500 by year-end to restore dignity to affected women.
“Other achievements presented included: Reduction in under-five mortality from 132 per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 110 in 2023, a 16.7% decrease.”
Improvement in infectious diseases management, with reductions of 40% in diarrheal disease, 24% in tuberculosis, and 12% in HIV/AIDS prevalence.
Interruption of neglected tropical diseases transmission, particularly onchocerciasis in eight states, benefiting 29 million people who no longer require annual treatment.
Regarding infrastructure and workforce development, Prof. Pate noted the upgrade of 238 healthcare facilities to functional level 2, with 320 more in progress.
“Additionally, 53,000 frontline health workers have been retrained out of a target of 120,000, with plans to further expand training capacities.”
The briefing was attended by development partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Nigeria Universal Health Coverage Forum, and other stakeholders, who commended the government’s strides toward UHC.
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