President Bola Tinubu
Tinubu gives new Hope to health sector. On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu stated that his administration is prioritizing and upgrading Nigeria’s health sector through substantial expenditures and higher funding allocations in the projected 2024 budget.
Tinubu, who described health as a fundamental human right, announced plans to overhaul physical infrastructure, equipment, and retrain frontline health personnel beginning in 2024.
This comes amid a five-year migration of health workers from Nigeria.
“Nigeria’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Care Coverage is reflected in my administration’s unwavering dedication to upholding this right for every individual, young or old, in rural or urban areas,” the President said at the State House in Abuja, during the unveiling of Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
The ceremony on Tuesday was part of the celebrations commemorating Universal Health Coverage Day, which is commemorated annually on December 12. It also saw the signing of the Health Renewal Compact by the federal and state governments, as well as development partners.
“Delivering improved quality health is an underpinning factor in my promise of Renewed Hope to Nigerians,” Tinubu says. That hope is rekindled here today, thanks to the cooperation of all multilateral partners and organizations; health is back on the agenda.
“This occasion provides an opportunity for collective reflection and action as we renew our commitment to the noble goal of health for all.”
“This year’s theme, ‘Health for All: Time for Action,’ captures the urgency and determination with which we must approach this lofty goal.” Health is more than just the absence of disease; it is the manifestation of physical, mental, and social well-being. It is a basic human right.”
To address the high cost of healthcare, the President announced intentions to restructure the Basic Health Care Provision Fund in order to improve access to vital healthcare services, as defined in the National Health Act (2014).
He insisted that the coordination and implementation of these activities be apolitical.
Tinubu also advised developed countries that are snatching Nigerian medical personnel to invest in the sector in order to keep it afloat.
He boasted that Nigeria remains a rallying point for the best minds in the medical profession, prompting his administration to allocate a substantial sum for the sector in the 2024 budget currently before the National Assembly.
“We encourage those Nigerian health professionals in the Diaspora, just like Professor Ali Pate and Tunji Alausa have done, to sacrifice their time to come back home and serve their people. Consider your contributions here at home, as we say, ‘Charity begins at home’.
“For developed countries that have benefited from the incredible talents of Nigerian health workers, we will strongly encourage them to consider how they can support the expansion of training facilities in Nigeria to replace those they have recruited from here.” You should also consider the short-term and long-term prospects that we provide.
“Yes, we have a vibrant, well-educated society, but we need Nigeria to rise…on one side with climate change and on the other with the health system decaying.” “We will rise,” Tinubu declared.
Prof. Muhammad Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, indicated that the BHCPF has been reformed as the foundational ground for a sector-wide approach while highlighting various major policy measures of the administration in the health sector.
As a result, the BHCPF, which accounts for at least 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, is scheduled to receive at least $2.5 billion in pooled and non-pooled funding from 2024 to 2026 to improve the primary health care system statewide.
Pate reiterated the goal to double the number of fully functional Primary Healthcare Centres across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory from 8,809 to 17,618 by 2027, noting that these PHCs will be linked to a comprehensive emergency care system.
He emphasized the need of open reporting, noting that the federal government will make resource allocation, releases, and results available to all stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and individuals.
Pate argued that the projected 2024 budget’s higher allocation for health and social welfare sectors.
He stated, “Thanks to Mr. President, the Federal Government is making significant investments in health infrastructure and equipment for our hospitals, as well as the provision of critical commodities, the expansion of health insurance, alongside heightened attention to the welfare of the health workforce.”
In response to growing pharmaceutical prices, Prof. Pate revealed the FG’s intention to establish a framework for pooled purchase of key drugs in 2024.
This project attempts to reduce costs while maintaining quality, making life-saving pharmaceuticals more affordable for Nigeria’s poorest citizens.
“In the medium term, Mr. President’s initiative to unlock the healthcare value chain will see Nigeria manufacturing an increasing share of its generic drugs, medical devices, and associated content, such as vaccines,” said the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. This will minimize our reliance on those who are solely interested in exploiting our markets.”
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum also pledged to implement the provisions of the compact into genuine healthcare outcomes.