The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by prioritising equitable healthcare access and reducing financial hardship for citizens.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, stated this at a press briefing to mark the 2024 Universal Health Coverage Day, themed: “Health on the House Government.” in Abuja.
Reflecting on the strides made since the launch of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) a year ago, the minister highlighted key achievements aimed at addressing longstanding challenges in the country’s health sector.
He outlined the challenges confronting the sector, including inadequate financing, poor governance, fragmented coordination, and inefficiencies in development assistance.
To address these, Prof. Pate said that the government has implemented a four-pillar Health Sector Strategic Blueprint aimed at strengthening governance, improving health outcomes, unlocking the healthcare value chain, and bolstering health security and resilience.
He said that the key initiatives include the Presidential Initiative to unlock the healthcare value chain, which seeks to increase domestic production of health products, enhance job creation, and reduce outbound medical tourism.
He outlined significant improvements, including a 16.7 percent reduction in under-five mortality (from 132 per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 110 in 2023), and substantial declines in infectious diseases such as diarrhea (40%), tuberculosis (24%), and HIV/AIDS (12%).
On the need to shift healthcare costs from households to government, the minister noted that the latest National Health Account data revealed that Nigerians bear over $70 per capital in healthcare costs, with only $15.5 per capital funded by the government.
“We must transfer risks and financial burdens from individuals to governments and their schemes,” Prof. Pate emphasised.
The minister also said that ₦45.9 billion was disbursed through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) in 2024, adding that the funding supports healthcare facilities and vulnerable groups nationwide.
“Through the BHCPF, ₦45.9BN has been disbursed through direct financing to facilities already this year. The Equity funds by State Governments support care for its indigenes who are most in need. These funds complement the social sector interventions targeting these groups,” Prof. Pate stated.
