Nigerian government to unlock value chain in health sector

The federal government of Nigeria is set to unlock the value chain in the health sector from a pre-service training and re-service delivery where the private sector would play an important role in the manufacturing of basic things.

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The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammad Ali Pate, made this known in a message on the occasion of the annual Future of Health Conference at the Lagos Continental Hotel.

The theme of the conference was, “The Private Sector as a Catalyst for a Resilient Health System.”

This was one of the four point agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a transformation in the county’s health sector.

According to the Minister, seventy to eighty percent of generics and pharmaceuticals on some counts were imported, and with a population of two hundred million, Nigeria has the market, and can begin to domesticate the production of consumables and basic pharmaceuticals, as well as medical devices.

In her opening remarks, the Managing Director, Nigeria Health Watch, Vivianne Ihekweazu, stated that the event stands as a testament to it’s collective commitment to advancing healthcare in Nigeria, exploring innovative solutions that foster collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s conference, she noted that, “The complex dynamics of healthcare delivery, Nigeria Health Watch recognized the indispensable role of the private sector, not just as a provider of services, but as a catalyst for transformative change.”

The Managing Director pointed out that the objective of the conference was to curate profound insights into the private sector’s role in healthcare, initiate learning by bringing diverse sectors together, and exploring opportunities for fruitful public-private partnerships.

In a keynote address, the Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, noted that the theme of this year’s conference, was apt, and was coming at an auspicious time in Nigeria with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that is focused on harnessing the inherent potentials in the country to promote sustainable positive growth and development.

There were also various panels of discussants on topics such as Private Sector Financing for Health Systems strengthening to Achieve Universal Health Coverage, UHC), Leveraging the Private Sector for Lassa Vaccines R&D: A Scientific Perspective, Private Sector Partnerships and Collaboration to Sustain the Diaspora “Brain Gain” and lastly, Leveraging the Private Sector for Quality Healthcare.

“Nigeria Health Watch is a not- for profit health Communication and Advocacy organisation that seeks to advocate for better health for Nigerians.

“The 2023 Future of Health Conference, an annual gathering hosted by Nigeria Health Watch.”

The conference, which is renowned for its focus in shaping the future of healthcare in Nigeria, stands as a premier gathering of stakeholders from the health sector, government and private industry, fostering dialogue on the challenges and opportunities in enhancing the health of Nigerians