Stakeholders call for stronger collaboration to improve healthcare access

Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s healthcare sector have called for stronger collaboration between government agencies and non-state actors to improve healthcare accessibility and quality across the country.

The stakeholders made the call at the Joint Annual Review (JAR) meeting in Abuja.The meeting was aimed at evaluating progress across the health sector, focusing primarily on the effectiveness of the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp).

The JAR serves as a vital platform for driving the SWAp in Nigeria, uniting key stakeholders to assess progress, address challenges, and pinpoint opportunities for improvement.

By reflecting on achievements, openly discussing challenges, and identifying areas for improvement, JAR creates a constructive space for aligning on what matters most; improving health outcomes for all Nigerians.

At a panel discussion on health policy, the stakeholders highlighted the critical role that partnerships between the public sector and private Organizations can play in addressing gaps within the healthcare system.

They particularly cited areas of maternal and child health, disease control, and financial protection for vulnerable populations.

Dr Gafar Alawode, Director of DGI Consult Limited, highlighted the importance of aligning efforts to drive significant health reforms.

“For Nigeria to achieve sustainable progress, we need an inclusive approach that brings together government bodies, private organisations, and civil society.

“This collaborative framework will allow us to expand access to healthcare and ensure that no one is left behind,” Alawode said.

He emphasised the need for a national index to track health outcomes across all states.

He said that the index would enable policymakers and the public to compare performance on critical health indicators, such as immunisation rates, malaria control, and maternal health services.

He said that such a metric could drive greater accountability and encourage targeted interventions in states with the most urgent needs.

Also, Mr Bello Lawal, National President of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), stressed the importance of financial protection measures to make healthcare more affordable for Nigerians.

Lawal said that by integrating non-state actors into the system, the government could leverage additional resources, technical expertise, and innovative solutions.

He said that ot would help to lower the financial burden on patients, ensuring that more Nigerians can access essential health services.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, said that for SWAP to be effective at the state level, it needed to be institutionalised.

According to Coker, that means creating parallel systems and ensuring that the officers involved in the implementation are embedded within the existing framework.

“The goal is that, even after the current leadership is gone, the civil servants responsible for the programme can continue its mission. This is critical for long-term sustainability.

“In this regard, we must focus on building capacity to identify and address gaps across different states at various levels.

“It is essential that our partners provide the necessary technical assistance to help our teams reach the appropriate capacity to take ownership of the process. SWAP is all about ownership,” she said.

Looking at Bangladesh as a case study, she said that when external partners drove the SWAP, results were minimal.

“However, when the government took ownership and integrated the programme into its systems, significant transformation and impact followed.

“This is the approach we must adopt in Nigeria,” she said.