- By Doris Obinna
The Nigeria Health Watch (NHW) has announced October 12, as the date for its 2023 future of health conference holding in Lagos.
According to the organisers, the future of health conference has continued to be a leading platform that convenes stakeholders to engage in dialogue on pertinent issues in the health sector.
Nigeria Health Watch, announcing the date of the conference on Tuesday, said, health services are increasingly being provided through mixed health systems that include both public and private providers, with the private health sector serving as an essential source of health-related products and services, particularly those for the poor.
“More than 40 per cent of women in low and middle-income countries, including women in the lowest income quintiles, receive antenatal, labour and delivery care and family planning services from private health providers.
“Every year, the conference brings together delegates, speakers and partners agitating to find solutions to the challenges in the health sector, advocating for policy action to ensure that all Nigerians have access to quality and affordable healthcare.”
It said speakers, who represent the breadth of the health and other allied sectors, are bringing forward ideas and sharing knowledge to inspire change in Nigeria’s health sector.
The theme for the 2023 future of health conference according to the organisers, “The private sector as a catalyst for a resilient health system,” will highlight the importance of leveraging the private sector’s capacity to deliver quality care and promote quality improvements in the public sector.
The conference will also amplify the innovations that could lead to transformative change in the health sector, through partnership and collaboration.
“In 2022, the future of health conference, in anticipation of the 2023 presidential elections, was themed; Political economy of health-investing in the future of Nigeria, as it presented a unique opportunity to push healthcare up the political agenda.
“According to the Nigeria healthcare market study, active participation in conferences is a strategic approach to jumpstarting engagement with private health businesses. The conference will provide a platform for positive action and meaningful engagement.
“The private sector has played an important role in the growth of the Nigerian economy, from banking and entertainment to fintech.”