Stakeholders in the health sector on Friday in Abuja, emphasised on collaboration between experts in the industry, and the Nigerian government in accelerating health development in the country.
Converging at the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day Commemoration, they were of the consensus that every Nigerian must have access to quality healthcare without suffering for it.
Chair, Nigeria UHC Forum, Moji Makanjuola said the universal health coverage is an imperative aimed at producing healthy Nigerians, irrespective of their social or economic status.
“Quality and equitable health must be available for Nigerians at the time they need it and out of pocket. We know how impoverished a lot of people are. If we must eliminate poverty, we need to address the health sector and what we can do with that is to achieve the universal health coverage, she said.
Makanjuola further revealed that with the remaining six years left to reach the target, the country must adapt to what the UHC is offering.
In addition, despite the theme of the event which says ‘Health: It’s on the Government’, the former news broadcaster said beyond the government for sustainability, healthcare services must also be about the people.
“It must be private sector driven, she continued.
“Beyond that, we must also ask ourselves what is available in terms of revenue. What have we done with it in the health sector and for the advantages that are there in terms of the tax reforms, what do we intend to do with it?
“So, we are pointing at the fact that we must accelerate financing beyond that, and we must use what is available for every Nigerian to access quality health”, Makanjuola stated.
She also said to achieve the universal health coverage, the existing gaps need to be closed and non state actors, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) must create a demand tool to see that health is an integral part to investment and development.
Director General, Nigeria Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) said focus should be on bringing millions of Nigerians out of health poverty and added that there are many who are too poor to afford healthcare services but, must be supported and protected.
Dr. Kelechi Ohiri stated that in order to improve quality healthcare delivery, the NHIA has ensured revising of tariffs and setting frameworks so that quality is assured with health facilities.
He listed four ways that the NHIA intends to go about it. They include ensuring it expands its venture to all Nigerians, making sure that the poor are not left behind, including the program to ensure that every pregnant woman that has emergency, has financial access to care. Thirdly, to improve the quality of care, working with providers, and counterparts; and lastly, to work with other providers of insurance, both at the national state level, including the private sector to protect Nigerians.
Dr. Simeon Onyemaedu, Chairman, Forum of CEO of State Social Health Insurance Agencies in Nigeria and MD/CEO, Anambra State Health Insurance Agency said resources must be mobilised at every segment of the Nigerian society to achieve universal health coverage.
“We cannot have a country where people are still dying from preventable causes. Eighty percent at least of the reasons people die are things that can be attended to at primary level, and this constitutes essential medical care, which is the whole essence of universal health coverage”, he said.
Dr. Tanko Yakasai, representative of Dr. Salma Annas, Special Assistant on on health matters to the Nigerian President described universal health coverage as important and must be at the front burner of any political discussion, irrespective of party affiliation or background and capable of yielding results.
The objectives of the UHC Day Commemoration Roundtable is to reflect on Nigeria’s UHC quest, identify challenges and proffer solutions, inaugurate committees on innovation and facility standards, unveil the national UHC monitoring group and chart a new course of action for building gains and overcoming challenges.