BUJA
The Minister of State for health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has highlighted the imperatives of Universal Health Coverage for Nigeria and Africa countries, just as he advocated for creativity and innovation if the 2030 timeline set for countries to attain the goal must be achieved.
Salako gave the indication at the African Health Business Symposium held in Abuja on Wednesday with the theme, “Leveraging Innovation to Advancing Universal Health Coverage”.
In his speech at the event, the minister applauded the meeting for focusing attention on fundamental human right issues that are fundamental to economic development, poverty reduction, human security and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Salako pointed out that Universal Health Coverage ensures that all people have access to full range of quality health services without suffering financial hardship.
While recognizing that African Countries have integrated UHC as a goal in their national health priorities, translating these commitments into adequate domestic resources for health, effective development assistance, equitable and quality health services and increase financial protection have been quite slow.
“Africa will have to increase its pace by almost 10 folds in order to deliver quality and affordable healthcare services to everyone. Africa must think and act creatively and innovatively if the 2030 UCH Agenda is to be realized”; he said.
Highlighting Nigeria’s effort towards the UHC goals, Salako said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is making significant strides towards attaining UHC through initiatives such as the establishment of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act of 2022 which makes health insurance mandatory for all citizens and legal residents. In addition, the National Health Act, 2014 which provides the fundamental legal framework for health service delivery in the country is being implemented more diligently.
“A key provision of the National Health Act is the setting aside of 1% of the consolidated revenue as Basic Healthcare Provision Fund to improve access to primary healthcare services for all Nigerians through a basic minimum package of health services”.
He stated that government has embarked on an ambitious PHCs revitalization agenda targeting the upgrade of 17,000 PHCs to level 2 by 2027.
“The focus is to ensure full national coverage of health insurance by 2030 and adequacy of functional PHCs so that citizens receive quality health care without facing any financial hardship, thereby preventing them from falling into poverty due to medical expenses. We are also implementing The Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value to boost local manufacturing and availability of essential medicines and other health products in all health facilities in the country. The President also issued an executive order to eliminate tariffs, excise duties and VAT on imported pharmaceutical inputs to enhance the affordability index of healthcare services in the country”.
The minister however recognized hurdles militating the progress of the agenda.
“I must quickly add that Nigeria’s drive towards UCH is still heavily challenged ranging from under funding, suboptimal health insurance subscription and high of pocket expenses, infrastructural deficit, inadequate human resources for health being worsened daily by by health workers migration, just to mention a few. It is my hope that this symposium will provide a veritable platform towards harnessing and harvesting ideas and opportunities towards effectively addressing these challenges”.
Salako harped on the need for innovative and sustainable solutions towards achieving the UHC objectives.
“The journey towards Universal Health Coverage will not be easy, but it is achievable. It demands visionary leadership, inclusive governance, bold investments and a relentless focus on equity and quality. I am optimistic that this forum will brainstorm and comes up with positive and progressive solutions that will support our different countries to achieve UHC in our continent on/or before 2030”. He stressed.
