The West African Private Health Federation (WAPHF) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have restated their commitment to fortify the health sector across the eight West African countries, fostering a resilient and efficient healthcare system.
The formed part of discussions at the inaugural High-Level Policy Conference in Health held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire between 6th – 8th of July
The conference brought together the West African Private Health Federation and eight other federations, commencing a journey to sustainability (J2su) with the support of the USAID.
Under the theme “Advancing the Public Private Dialogue to achieve Universal Health Coverage in West Africa,” the conference featured distinguished delegates, including Dr. Salma Anas, the newly appointed Special Assistant on Health to the President of Nigeria.
During her remarks, Dr. Anas emphasized the importance of private sector engagement in achieving universal health coverage and shared insights into the priorities of the new administration.
“In our pursuit of Universal Health Coverage, private sector engagement plays a crucial role. By harnessing the expertise and resources of the private sector, we can accelerate progress towards accessible and quality healthcare for all Nigerians. The government is committed to creating an enabling environment that fosters strong public-private collaborations and supports the private sector in contributing significantly to the achievement of Universal Health Coverage,” she said.
As a catalyst for collaboration and innovation, PharmAccess Foundation was represented by Njide Ndili, Vice President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria and Country Director for PharmAccess Nigeria.
Ndili actively participated in a panel discussion, highlighting the need for robust public-private dialogue, and shedding light on the vital role of the public sector in creating an enabling environment for private sector participation.
In her words, “A robust public-private dialogue is essential for creating an enabling environment that supports private sector participation in healthcare. Strategic purchasing, governance, and sustainability are vital elements that empower the private sector to contribute significantly to achieving Universal Health Coverage.”
Dr. Pamela Ajayi, President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), also delivered a notable address, drawing on HFN’s practical experiences in advocating for policy reforms, fostering collaboration, and enabling private sector engagement. Dr. Ajayi showcased successful interventions and positive outcomes, demonstrating how policy discussions can shape legislative agendas and foster an environment conducive to private sector participation. “Our experience at the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria demonstrates the transformative power of collaboration and private sector engagement. Through advocacy, collaboration, and enabling policies, we can drive positive change and advance towards our goal of Universal Health Coverage.”
Dr. Ben Nkechika, the Director-General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission, also contributed to the discourse by highlighting the achievements of public-private partnerships specifically at the primary healthcare level, leveraging PharmAccess Foundation’s Access to Finance Framework. Dr. Ben emphasized the scalability and transformative potential of this framework, underscoring the importance of harnessing such partnerships to enhance healthcare access and quality.
The conference also welcomed the presence of Prof. Mohammed Nasir Sambo Director-General of the Nigeria Health Insurance Authority. Prof. Sambo shared valuable insights and future plans including the collaboration with Chatham House to document lessons learned on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) across West Africa. This initiative aims to capture and disseminate best practices and strategies to further advance healthcare access and quality in the region.
The Nigerian delegation further included Dr. Olumide Okunola, Health Specialist at the World Bank, and Dr. Uchechukwu Nwoku from the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria.
Their presence enriched the discussions with their expertise and diverse perspectives, contributing to a holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities in achieving Universal Health Coverage.
Also present was Dr. Maxwell Antwi, the PharmAccess Ghana Country Director, who shared insightful perspectives on the best practices implemented in Ghana to achieve Universal Health Coverage Dr. Antwi highlighted Ghana’s progressive approach to digital technology adoption, emphasizing the country’s commitment to becoming 100% digital by the end of September 2023. He specifically mentioned the digitization of claims submission, payments, and other essential healthcare processes. By leveraging digital technologies, Ghana aims to streamline healthcare operations, enhance efficiency, and improve overall healthcare service delivery.
PharmAccess Foundation, being an ardent advocate for collaboration remains dedicated to driving collaboration, innovation, and sustainable healthcare systems across Africa.
