The Nigerian government has marks a historic milestone as the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare unveils Health Sector Renewal compact.
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The Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the ambitious plan is dedicated to achieving Universal Health Coverage and is backed by increased federal budget allocations.
In his keynote address to commemorate this year’s World Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Day and the Unveiling of Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, the Minister expressed gratitude to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for prioritizing the nation’s health and well-being of all Nigerians.
“The president’s vision emphasizes the crucial role of good health in unlocking Nigeria’s human capital potential, forming the foundation of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
Prof. Pate explained that the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) has been redesigned as the foundational basis for a sector-wide approach.
He added that the BHCPF, comprising at least 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, is expected to receive at least $2.5 billion in pooled and non-pooled financing from 2024 to 2026 to improve the primary health system nationwide.
The Minister outlined plans to double the number of fully functional Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) from 8,809 to 17,618 by 2027 across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), adding that these PHCs will be linked to a c omprehensive emergency care system.
According to him, the federal government will make resource allocation, releases, and results transparent to all stakeholders, including government bodies, non-governmental partners, civil society organizations, and citizens.
He noted that the increased allocation in the proposed 2024 budget for health and social welfare sectors has demonstrated the political will of the Tinubu administration to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and improve the health of Nigerians.
“Thanks to Mr. President, the Federal Government is making significant investments in health infrastructure and equipment for our hospitals, as well as the provision of critical commodities, the expansion of health insurance, alongside heightened attention to the welfare of the health workforce,” he said.
Addressing the rising prices of pharmaceuticals, Prof. Pate announced the federal government’s plan to establish a mechanism for the pooled procurement of critical pharmaceuticals in 2024. This initiative aims to lower costs and guarantee quality, making life-saving medications more affordable for the poorest Nigerians.
“In the medium term, Mr. President’s initiative to unlock the healthcare value chain will see Nigeria manufacturing an increasing share of its generic drugs, medical devices, and associated content, such as vaccines over time. This will reduce our dependency on those only keen to exploit our markets,” he added.
In his message, the UN representative to Nigeria, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande commends the Nigerian government, particularly the President, for bold and swift actions in advancing healthcare through a sector-wide approach.
Bande emphasises the significance of health as a human rights issue, aligning with the universal human rights declaration.
“The transformative initiatives, including universal health coverage, as integral to the cooperation framework with Nigeria. The commitment to mutual accountability, redesigning the healthcare provision fund, and promoting health industrialization for job creation.
“The UN is committed to supporting Nigeria through technical assistance and the government to view the UN primarily as a knowledge bank. The involvement of governors and communities in the health transformation process is appreciated, and a commitment to building a healthier, fairer, and more resilient future for all Nigerians,” he added.
The Chairman, Northern Traditional Rulers Council and the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Sa’ad Abubakar, reiterated the commitment of traditional and religious leaders to supporting the government’s efforts in transforming the nation’s health sector.
“All Nigerians go to churches or mosques, and Nigerians believe in their religious leaders, so we are the vehicle this country leaders should use to convey any message to our people.
“I believe we will do our best 100% to support every government be it federal or state level, call on us at any time, because we have no other job to do, but to ensure the peace and stability of this country, to ensure the religious and temporal needs of our people are met by our leaders,” he added.
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