…Highlight SWAp gains in 12 months
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has described the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) which gave birth to the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) as a game changer that had heralded some great transformation for the health sector.
He said the impact of the initiative has been felt in the health insurance coverage, primary health care services, and other health care service value chain, even though more improvements are required to guarantee improved access to Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The Minister, who addressed journalists on the occasion of the 2024 World UHC Day on the “Health: It’s on the government”, in Abuja on Thursday, noted that UHC is not free, and neither is it cheap. “Good quality health is not cheap. It has to be invested upon. Health is an investment.
He said: “This is the first year anniversary of SWAp, which was unveiled by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 12 months ago. The Initiative kicked off the reforms in the health care sector, and it has been successful. One can safely say that Nigeria’s health reforms have taken off but we are not yet at cruising altitude. So, as we celebrate this day knowing fully well that ‘it’s on the government’, but with the support of everyone else, that we will get to the cruising altitude and Nigeria will be on its path to UHC.
“We outlined an ambitious agenda which acknowledged the challenges that Nigeria had in terms of financing of its health. For every dollar that we invest in health, there is a multiple dividend in economic development. We also acknowledge the structural limitations, fragmentation, and efficiencies.
“But we collectively made a decision to come together, federal government, state governments, local governments, our development partners, and agreed on the compact that we will reorient our system to achieve better health for all Nigerians, to save lives, reduce physical and financial pain, produce health, and to do it for all Nigerians.
“By that singular action of organizing the governance of the sector, we started a movement which is beginning to show some very important results. We are strengthening our primary health care system and health insurance system, and we are seeing the results.
“If we continue this way, and with the voice of the civil society, all Nigerians, and with the orientation towards accountability, we we’ll get there. Evidence shows that more Nigerians are confident in terms of the competence of the government to address emergencies.”
Dr. Salako Iziaq Adekunle, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, echoed the need for sustained momentum, emphasizing the collective responsibility of all stakeholders.
He underscored the prioritization of healthcare under President Tinubu’s administration and the importance of public awareness about health insurance. “We must not rest on our laurels. Health is an investment, and everyone must play a part in ensuring universal health coverage.”
He called on the media to educate Nigerians on saving for health emergencies and investing in their well-being, stressing that the cultural shift is critical to achieving health equity.
Global health partners also lent their voices in support of Nigeria’s progress. Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative to Nigeria, praised the country’s achievements over the past few years.
“Nigeria is on the right path, and its success will have transformative effects not only in Africa but globally,” Mulombo stated, reaffirming WHO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s health reform
Dave McConalogue, Co-Chair of the Health Development Partners, highlighted the alignment and coordination brought about by the health sector compact signed a year ago by all stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in driving sustainable change.
Similarly, Dr. Gafar Alawode, Co-Convener of the Nigeria UHC Forum, advocated deliberate strategies to expand health insurance coverage to at least 50 per cent of the population, citing the need for innovative finance and resource optimization.
The stakeholders, together, called for continued commitment to achieving UHC and strengthening Nigeria’s health system for the benefit of all citizens.