In an effort to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC), PharmAccess led important discussions at the Fifth Annual Legislative Summit on Health, emphasizing the integration of digital technology into Nigeria’s healthcare delivery systems. The summit, themed “Improving Legislative Stewardship and Accountability for Universal Health Coverage,” brought together a diverse group of leaders, policymakers, and experts to strategize on strengthening the nation’s healthcare infrastructure.
The three-day event, convened by the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo, hosted the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; the Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr Salma Ibrahim Anas; the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on HIV, Aids, TB and Malaria, Hon. Amobi Ogah; the Country Director of PharmAccess, Mrs. Njide Ndili, as well as legislators from about 19 states of the federation.
In her welcome address, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo, underscored the pressing need for improvements in Nigeria’s health development indices and called for decisive action to address existing gaps in healthcare delivery. She emphasized the legislature’s crucial role in safeguarding public health, stating, “This gathering underscores the vital role of the legislature in ensuring the health and well-being of our citizens.”
“We believe that through collaboration, dialogue, sharing notes, speaking to each other, and translating knowledge, we can work towards improving healthcare and making life more meaningful for Nigerians across the country. No part of Nigeria should be left out; everyone is important, and our healthcare should reach them all,” she added. Senator Banigo further emphasized that health budget allocations must be both adequate and meticulously managed to ensure that every naira invested results in measurable health benefits for the people.
In his remarks, the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, highlighted the urgent need for the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative to address the country’s pressing healthcare issues. He referenced a recent People’s Voices Survey involving 2,500 participants, which revealed widespread dissatisfaction with the healthcare system due to disease burden, affordability, and quality of care. He said: “Despite significant spending, health outcomes are not meeting expectations compared to countries with similar or lower investment levels.”
The minister further emphasized the importance of mobilizing resources, prioritizing healthcare at all levels, and enhancing the impact and transparency of regulatory bodies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
“Plans include expanding primary healthcare centers from 1,800 to 17,000 by 2027 and retraining 120,000 frontline health workers. Revitalizing federal institutions and teaching hospitals to focus on specialized treatment and promoting local production of pharmaceuticals and medical devices are also key objectives. An MOU with Afreximbank for a billion dollars in private-sector financing has been signed to support these initiatives. Strengthening the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), improving surveillance systems, and maintaining strategic stockpiles are also part of the strategy,” he said.
During a Panel discussion titled “Leveraging Digital Health and Data Governance for UHC – Implications for Legislature,” the Country Director of PharmAccess Nigeria, Mrs. Njide Ndili emphasized the importance of leveraging digital innovations to improve data management, enhance telemedicine services, and address legislative challenges. She highlighted how digital innovations could bridge gaps in healthcare delivery, particularly in remote and underserved areas, by providing more accurate diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, and efficient healthcare management.
Mrs. Ndili underscored the transformative potential of digital innovations in revolutionizing health services across Nigeria, advocating for its integration to ensure sustainable health delivery and enhanced patient outcomes. She stated, “Digital health technologies are crucial in our quest to achieve universal health coverage in Nigeria. By harnessing these innovations, we can enhance efficiency, improve health outcomes, and ensure that no Nigerian is left behind. Legislative support is essential in scaling these solutions and ensuring their sustainability.”
The panel featured distinguished experts, including Dr. Niyi Osamiluyi, Convener of the Africa Digital Health Summit (ADHS) and CEO of PHS Consult; Femi Olapegba, CEO of Digital Health Platform Limited, Lagos; and Dr. Gbenga Ijaodola, Deputy Director of Research and Knowledge Management and Program Manager of the Nigeria Digital-In-Health Initiative.
Dr. Gbenga Ijaodola opened the discussion by outlining the Nigerian government’s commitment to leveraging digital tools for improved healthcare delivery and accountability, emphasizing the need for a coordinated digital health governance structure. Femi Olapegba then discussed Interswitch’s recent agreement with Lagos State to digitize the healthcare system, outlining the anticipated improvements in patient care through enhanced data exchange. Dr. Niyi Osamiluyi concluded the panel by discussing the essential role of public-private partnerships in scaling digital health innovations across Africa and the need for sustained investment and infrastructure to overcome barriers to growth.
The panel recommended several critical measures to enhance digital health transformation. They emphasized the need for inter-ministerial collaboration to invest in foundational elements such as electricity, digital literacy, data, and connectivity, which are essential for digital advancement. The panel also advocated for enabling laws to support the scaling of private sector innovations and ensure robust health data governance to protect citizens’ rights. Additionally, they stressed the importance of financial inclusion laws to accelerate mobile money adoption for the unbanked and called for the establishment of interoperability standards to facilitate seamless health data exchange.
The Fifth Annual Legislative Summit on Health facilitated invaluable discussions and solidified a shared commitment to fostering a more innovative, equitable, and efficient healthcare system in the country.
PharmAccess remains committed to partnering with legislative bodies, government agencies, and stakeholders to bridge healthcare gaps and support the government’s goal of achieving sustainable health outcomes for all Nigerians.