The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has said the country cannot continue to rely on donations from international bodies for the financing of primary health care (PHC).
It also noted that while the government continues to grapple with limited resources to fund the various sectors, domestic and innovative sourcing of funds will not only solve the problem of poor funding for primary health care but will also reduce huge out-of-pocket expenses by citizens. The forum noted that the strategy will lead to the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
The NGF stressed that the efficiency of the processes of fund distribution and how they are utilised remain critical to providing equitable access to health care for all.
The Chairman of the NGF, Dr Kayode Fayemi made this known in Abuja yesterday during a two-day forum to discuss PHC financing in the country, organised by the Nigeria Health Commissioners’ Forum in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
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Represented by Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, he stated that Nigeria has so many other options for funding the PHC and that there is so much money sitting in so many other places which must be channelled to health care financing.
He said: “To solve the problem of financing for primary health care and meet the demands for a responsive and high-performing health system, we must approach PHC financing and service delivery with four key focuses in mind, including the utilisation of the Basic Health care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to finance essential health services, especially for the vulnerable and to improve the country’s capacity to address public health emergencies.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Chief of Health, Dr Eduardo Celadis, said Nigeria currently has the second highest out-of-pocket expenditure in the world. He urged the government to reduce the inequalities in access to quality health care among the rich and poor, in the Northern and Southern regions.
He said: “There are huge out-of-pocket expenses, which is the second highest in the world. The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act is a massive opportunity.
“Also, with the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), we now have the instrument to move in that direction. We, therefore, need strong leadership and collaboration.”