Nigeria government reiterates its efforts toward achieving Universal Health Coverage

The Nigerian government has emphasized the need for collaborative efforts towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) with financial risk protection for all Nigerians and legal residents. The Director General/CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority, (NHIA) Dr. Kelechi Ohiri made this known in his goodwill message at the Health Systems Emerging Solutions Forum held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

READ ALSO:Nigeria to Prioritise Universal Health Coverage  

Expressing gratitude for the opportunity, Dr. Ohiri highlighted the significance of the forum in addressing the challenges of optimizing resources for accelerated progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). He underscored the importance of the NHIA Act, emphasizing mandatory health insurance and a Vulnerable Group Fund as critical components for achieving UHC.

“I wish to reaffirm the commitment of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare’s strategic vision for the health sector and the implementation of the NHIA Act’. He said.

Dr. Ohiri said: “the theme of this event: Optimizing Resources for Accelerated Progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is very important and timely, especially in light of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, which provides mandatory health insurance and a Vulnerable Group Fund. “These two visions of the Act are critical requirements for Universal Health Coverage”.

In his welcome address, the Managing Partner, Development Governance International (DGI) Consult, Dr. Gafar Alawode said the forum is aimed to showcase interventions and innovations that have the potential to transform the health system landscape when implemented at scale in the country.

The maiden edition of the Health System Emerging Solutions Forum is themed, “Optimising Resources for Accelerated Progress Towards Universal Health Coverage.

Adewole said: “one of the main objectives of the forum is to address the paucity of dedicated platforms that showcase the effectiveness of health system interventions and Innovations. The forum would bring together a wide array of stakeholders, including prominent personalities from institutions such as the Harvard School of Public Health, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, amongst others, he said were policymakers, development partners, civil society organisations and the media. The objective of the forum is to showcase promising interventions and approaches geared towards optimizing health resources, to highlight key lessons learnt on resource optimization locally and internationally, to identify challenges encountered in the course of resource optimization and proffer solutions, to articulate a set of recommendations on resource optimization for the policymakers, development partners, civil society organizations and other stakeholders”. He added.

In his speech, the Chairperson of Health Commissioners in Nigeria and Commissioner of Health & Human Services Ekiti State,  Dr. Oyebanji Filani who was represented by Yobe State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Mohammed Lawan Gana said it is obvious that the event is in complete alignment with the aims and objectives of the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum and wish to identify and express their will to partner with DGI and other partners to push forward the health agenda of the country.

“We are committed to better understanding and scale up of evidence based interventions in our respective states with the ultimate goal of achieving impacts at scale.

Dr. Filani said the need for optimal use of scarce resources, channeling of such resources to the points of best impact, putting in place accountability and result framework are needed now better than ever.

The Health Systems Emerging Solutions Forum serves as a platform for key stakeholders to contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding the optimization of resources and the advancement of health systems in Nigeria.

In recognition of the meritorious service, landmark achievements, and remarkable contributions of some notable stakeholders to the advancement of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) cause in Nigeria, DGI Consult, in collaboration with the Nigeria UHC Forum, also honour some stakeholders with UHC Excellence Awards.