The Federal Government has set aside $2.5 billion for primary healthcare funding, Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Ali Pate said yesterday.
External development partners and the Federal Government will contribute to the funding pool, he added.
The minister spoke at an event to commemorate the Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) Day, where President Bola Tinubu rolled out his administration’s plans to make healthcare cheap and accessible.
Held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, it featured the unveiling of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
According to President Tinubu, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would launch a massive revamping of the health sector with effect from January.
He said,
“Recognising the importance of primary healthcare as the cornerstone of a resilient, integrated healthcare system, my administration is embarking on a massive effort from 2024 to revamp physical infrastructure, equipment, and retraining of frontline health workers, in collaboration with all the that the 36 states.
“I approved and directed the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to implement a sector-wide approach in all programmes to reduce fragmentation and bring coherent alignment and improved accountability among government agencies.
“We must do it. Nigerian citizens and our development partners will require this.
“In addition to executive decisions, I have made it a goal to save lives, reduce physical and financial pains and provide healthcare that is equitable for all Nigerians.
“The strategic steps we’re taking will strengthen the governance of Nigeria’s health sector, boost efficiency, reduce leakages and support the effective implementation of the National Healthcare Act.
“It’s not a political affiliation matter, it’s a commitment to the welfare of our people, working together as one single entity.”
President Tinubu urged developed countries who poach the country’s medical professionals to also consider investing in the sector.
He also urged Nigerian health professionals in the Diaspora to return.
According to Pate, a more coordinated approach between the Federal Government, states, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and development partners will be adopted to improve the health sector.
He said,
“Specifically, we are redesigning the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, comprising at least one per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund provided by the National Health Act (2014), as the foundational basis of the sector-wide approach.
“This is to ensure more equitable, allocation of resources to the poorest and most disadvantaged populations; mobilise additional development partner (multilateral, bilateral, philanthropic, and private sector) financial resources to a common pool or aligned in parallel with the sector-wide approach.
“We expect at least $2.5 billion in pooled and non-pooled financing in the period 2024-2026, to be mobilised and channelled to improve our primary health system and achieve results.
“This represents contributions from external development partners and the Federal Government, expecting that state governments, where primary health is delivered, will also contribute to the efforts.
“We expect to double the number of fully functional primary healthcare centres (PHCs) receiving decentralised facility financing for infrastructural upgrades, and operational costs to ensure delivery of high-quality essential primary healthcare packages.”
Pate said the existing 8,809 PHCs will be made fully functional and gradually increased to 17,618 by 2027.
“We will link each of the PHCs in this effort to a secondary care facility providing comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care and to a referral system by progressive development of a national emergency and medical ambulance system.”
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, affirmed the states’ commitment to the implementation of the signed Compact towards Universal Health Coverage for all Nigerians.
Supported by about 16 governors on the podium, AbdulRazak said they would align with the provisions of the document by domesticating it into practicable and actionable policies and programmes.
“The NGF secretariat will move to provide support in tracking and implementing the outcomes of this Compact.
“I affirm the commitment of the NGF and to remain steadfast in its determination to make universal health coverage a reality for every Nigerian,” he said.
