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Tag: UHC

  • 10 years on, HFN reflects on health sector gains, UHC drive

    10 years on, HFN reflects on health sector gains, UHC drive

    The Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) has announced that its 10th-anniversary celebration in 2025 will focus on reflecting on the challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare sector and charting sustainable solutions for the future.

    Expressing pride in HFN’s decade of transformative contributions to the sector, President Pamela Ajayi revealed that the Federation’s milestone will be marked at the HFN Annual Conference 2025, scheduled for February 27–28, themed, ‘Expanding Access to Quality Healthcare: Transforming Nigeria through Innovation, Partnership, and Sustainability’.

    Founded in 2015, HFN serves as the umbrella body for private-sector stakeholders dedicated to improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria, with significant contributions to policy reforms, partnerships, and access to quality healthcare solutions.

    At a press conference, HFN President, Pamela Ajayi, joined by Chinyere Okorocha, Co-Chair of the Conference Planning Committee; Leke Oshunniyi, Chairman of the Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria; Itunu Akinware, Managing Director of Medbury Medical Services; and Ayodeji Oni, Executive Secretary of HFN, reflected on the Federation’s journey since 2015 and its efforts to bridge the public and private sectors to enhance Nigeria’s healthcare system. 

    “HFN was established to support the achievement of Universal Health Coverage by activating the private sector. 

    “Over the past decade, we have created a platform that fosters collaboration and transforms health systems in Nigeria,” she said. 

    She acknowledged the strides made through advocacy, partnerships, and innovation but stressed that more work is needed, saying, “This anniversary is not only a time to celebrate but also a call to reflect on the challenges ahead”.

    Looking forward, she reaffirmed HFN’s dedication to building a resilient and sustainable healthcare system, adding, “As we enter this new decade, we remain committed to creating a healthcare system that is equitable, accessible, and sustainable for all Nigerians”. 

    Ajayi, however, called for renewed efforts and collaborations within the sector to drive innovation and achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

    On her part, Chinyere Okorocha elaborated on the conference’s theme and its focus on addressing key challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, noting that the event would explore vital areas such as healthcare policy reforms, system strengthening, and financing solutions. 

    “The conference will feature expert panels, workshops, and interactive discussions aimed at generating actionable insights to transform Nigeria’s healthcare landscape,” she said.

    She also outlined the conference’s engaging format, which will include three sessions each day and additional activities like a Gala Dinner and Award Night, the HFN Women’s Forum, and exhibitions showcasing cutting-edge healthcare technologies. 

    These activities are designed to foster collaboration, recognize excellence, and celebrate HFN’s legacy in advancing healthcare in Nigeria.

    The 10th anniversary celebration is set to be a year of reflection and renewed commitment, as HFN charts a course for the next decade of impactful reforms and collaboration to ensure equitable healthcare for all Nigerians, she added.

  • FG intensifies efforts to bridge UHC gaps

    FG intensifies efforts to bridge UHC gaps

    …development partners express optimism

    The Nigerian government is intensifying efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, marking a significant milestone with the first anniversary of the Health Renewal Compact and the launch of Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.

    Professor Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister for Health, stated that the reforms introduced in December 2023 are paving the way for transformative changes in the country’s healthcare system.

    President Tinubu has also approved a Medical Relief Programme, which will subsidize essential health services and be implemented in the upcoming budget year, according to the Minister.

    Speaking in Abuja during the UHC Day commemoration, Pate acknowledged the challenges in achieving UHC, especially regarding funding and structural fragmentation. “Universal Health Coverage is not free; it’s not cheap. Quality healthcare requires investment, but for every dollar invested in health, there are multiple dividends in economic development,” he said.

    Pate highlighted the Compact as a unifying force, bringing together federal, state, and local governments with development partners to improve health outcomes for Nigerians. Among the milestones achieved is the registration of over two million new subscribers under the Nigeria Health Insurance Authority in the past year, which he described as a sign of growing financial protection for citizens.

    He highlighted progress in revitalizing primary healthcare facilities, with work completed on 238 centres, and 300 more underway, and States rehabilitating an additional 2,000 while 2,000 facilities are slated for upgrades under the government’s Project Hope initiative.

    He said efforts to improve maternal health have also gained momentum with over 1,000 women benefiting from free fistula tests, while government programs are providing free emergency obstetrics and antenatal services, including cesarean sections, continue.

    Pate noted partnerships with States like Anambra, Borno, and Sokoto to enhance healthcare services in line with the administration’s vision.

    He expressed optimism about public confidence in the government’s ability to handle health emergencies, citing a recent survey showing significant trust in the administration.

    To alleviate the healthcare cost burden on the less privileged, President Tinubu has approved a Medical Relief Programme, which will subsidize essential health interventions and roll out in the next budget year.

    World Health Organization (WHO) representative Walter Mulombo praised Nigeria’s commitment to UHC, emphasizing the importance of political leadership.

    “Universal health coverage is, first and foremost, a political choice. There is no better example than what has happened in Nigeria, with Mr. President championing UHC and initiating the reforms needed for sustainable financing,” he said.

    Mulombo commended the adoption of annual operational plans across all states, calling it a significant milestone.

    Read Also: UHC 2030: Experts advocate digital health

    “Nigeria is on the right path, and if Nigeria delivers on UHC, it will have a domino effect in Africa and the world,” he said, reaffirming WHO’s continued support.

    Dave McConaughey, co-chair of Health Development Partners and a representative of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), hailed the transformative strides made since the signing of the Nigeria UHC Compact a year ago.

    “The progress in just one year is nothing short of spectacular. These are not easy changes; we are talking about transforming the health sector and thinking in a very different way,” he said.

    McConaughey commended the government for fostering collaboration and co-creation with development partners, “This is about aligning with Nigeria’s vision for change and working together behind government plans,” he said.

    He also noted a shift in approach among development partners, highlighting moves toward pooling resources, providing on-budget support, and strengthening government systems.

    “We are making our data transparent and allowing the government to shape resource allocation,” he added.

    Gafar Alawode, co-convener of the Nigeria UHC initiative, expressed optimism tempered with urgency.

    “The civil society community is concerned about the historically slow progress of UHC in Nigeria, where health insurance coverage remains below 10%.

    “However, with existing policy instruments like the sector-wide approach and the Compact, we are convinced the current leadership can accelerate the UHC quest,” he said.

    Alawode called for more intentional action, particularly in expanding health insurance coverage, emphasizing that Nigeria has the resources to achieve at least 50% coverage.

    He announced the launch of a UHC monitoring group to track progress at national and sub-national levels.

    “This group will assess where States stand concerning global indices used to monitor UHC,” Alawode explained, urging the government to deploy policy tools more effectively to expand coverage and address gaps.

    UHC is celebrated annually on December 12th, with this year’s theme, ‘Health: It’s on the government’, emphasizing the crucial role governments play in ensuring universal access to healthcare without financial hardship.

  • UHC: FG affirms commitment to Nigeria’s full health system digitization

    UHC: FG affirms commitment to Nigeria’s full health system digitization

    The Federal government has reaffirmed its dedication to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by fully digitizing the nation’s healthcare system.

    The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa, emphasized that this commitment is unwavering, noting that achieving UHC would be unattainable without the digitization of the health system to ensure optimal service delivery.

    Alausa made these remarks in Lagos over the weekend at the 4th African Digital Health Summit (ADHS) in Abuja, where he underscored the critical importance of digital transformation, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed significant vulnerabilities in global health systems.

    The two-day summit, organized by Premier Medical Systems Consult and Convener of the ADHSand themed ‘Digital Transformation of Health Systems: What, Why, How?’ brought together political leaders, policymakers, and experts to showcase digital innovations advancing universal health coverage across Africa through engaging sessions, panel discussions, informative presentations, and dialogues on critical topics in digital health.

    The overarching goal of the Summit was to foster dialogue, share best practices, and catalyze actionable strategies toward building resilient, inclusive, and digitally enabled health systems in Africa, in addition to improving access to quality healthcare, especially for low-income groups

    Addressing the over 400 participants from 15 countries, Alausa emphasised that digital health solutions have the potential to improve patient care, streamline processes, reduce errors, and provide more accurate diagnoses and treatments.

    Some of the participants include the Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority of Ghana, Prof. Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah; the Commissioner of Health for Lagos, Prof. Akin Abayomi; the Deputy Director of the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Anthony Adoghe; the Head of the Digital Health Unit at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Banke Odunsi; and PharmAccess Country Director, Njide Ndili, among others.

    According to Alausa, these solutions can help reach underserved populations and enhance healthcare efficiency by reducing costs and optimizing resources.

    “Under the visionary leadership of our President, Bola Tinubu, Prof. Pate and I have been tasked with ensuring the full digitization of our health system, recognizing it as a key enabler to achieving quality healthcare and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for all Nigerians,” he said.

    Earlier, Niyi Osamiluyi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Premier Medical Systems Consult and Convener of the ADHS, also stressed the urgent need for digital transformation in healthcare systems across Africa.

    According to him, the importance of innovation, collaboration, and robust policy frameworks in leveraging digital technologies to enhance healthcare delivery and outcomes across the continent cannot be overemphasized.

    At a panel discussion organized by Transform Health and DTH-Lab on ‘Maximizing the Benefits of Health Data Through Advancing a Value-Based Approach to Governance and More Robust Legislation’, PharmAccess Country Director, Ndili, emphasised the importance of data governance and legislation in protecting users while leveraging data for public good.

    “It is important that patients control and enable access to their data as needed, rather than having their data owned and harnessed by developers of digital solutions.

    “There should be laws protecting health data while allowing it to be used and reused for society’s benefit,” she noted

    Read Also: Cost of healthy diet stood at N1,041 in May – NBS

    Ndili also emphasized the need for collaboration between governments, private sector players, and international organizations to create a robust digital health ecosystem, transitioning from manual records to a digital framework that enables innovations to scale.

    At the Digital First Health System consultation hosted by PharmAccess and DTH-Lab, which gathered 35 young people from across Nigeria to contribute to a blueprint recommended by the Lancet and Financial Times Commission, Ndili emphasized the importance of creating inclusive health systems that prioritize young people’s voices and perspectives in the design and governance of future Digital-First Health Systems (DFHS).

    “Young people are the highest adopters of mobile and digital technologies; hence, their health priorities need to be captured in the design of digital health technologies,” she said.

    The DTH Lab, headquartered in the University of Geneva, is a global consortium of partners working to drive implementation of The Lancet and Financial Times Commission on Governing Health Futures 2030’s recommendations for value-based digital transformations for health co-created with young people.

    PharmAccess, an international not-for-profit organization established in 2001, operates in Africa pioneering digital innovative approaches to strengthen the healthcare sector.

  • UHC: FG disburses N25bto PHCs nationwide

    UHC: FG disburses N25bto PHCs nationwide

    The Federal Government has approved the disbursement of N25b from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) towards the provision of health security and the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Prof. Muhammed Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare has said.

    Pate, who made the disclosure at the sixth meeting of the BHCPF Ministerial Oversight Committee on Thursday in Abuja said the allocated funds were designated for direct facility financing and workforce incentives across the states.

    He further added that the disbursement process would be managed through the gateways of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

    Read Also: UHC: FG disburses N25b to PHCs nationwide 

    According to him, the disbursed funds would undergo stringent accountability and transparency measures while revealing that a dedicated reporting mechanism for citizens to report any misuse or deviation from disbursement guidelines has been put in place.

    Noting the initiative’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and commitment to enhancing healthcare outcomes for Nigerian women, children, and vulnerable populations, the Minister said: “We recognize the importance of prioritizing healthcare services for all citizens, especially those in vulnerable groups.

    “This substantial investment underscores our dedication to enhancing healthcare infrastructure and supporting our healthcare workforce.

    “In addition to direct facility financing and workforce incentives, a portion of the funds will be allocated by the NHIA to provide financial protection for the poorest and most vulnerable populations, further ensuring equitable

  • UHC: FG disburses N25b to PHCs nationwide 

    UHC: FG disburses N25b to PHCs nationwide 

    The federal government has approved the disbursement of N25b from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) towards the the provision of health security and the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Prof. Muhammad Pate, the coordinating minister of health and social welfare has said.

    Pate, who made the disclosure at the sixth meeting of the BHCPF Ministerial Oversight Committee on Thursday in Abuja said the allocated funds were designated for direct facility financing and workforce incentives across the States.

    He further added that the disbursement process would be managed through the gateways of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

    According to him, the disbursed funds would undergo stringent accountability and transparency measures while revealing that a dedicated reporting mechanism for citizens to report any misuse or deviation from disbursement guidelines has been put in place.

    Noting the initiative’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and commitment to enhancing healthcare outcomes for Nigerian women, children, and vulnerable populations, the minister said: “We recognize the importance of prioritizing healthcare services for all citizens, especially those in vulnerable groups.

    “This substantial investment underscores our dedication to enhancing healthcare infrastructure and supporting our healthcare workforce.

    “In addition to direct facility financing and workforce incentives, a portion of the funds will be allocated by the NHIA to provide financial protection for the poorest and most vulnerable populations, further ensuring equitable access to healthcare services”. 

    On prioritizing accountability and transparency of the funds, Pate said, “An email address and reporting line will be made available, enabling citizens to actively participate in monitoring fund implementation.

    “We are committed to ensuring that healthcare resources are utilized effectively and transparently,” affirmed government representatives. 

    Read Also: We are committed to Nigeria’s UHC 2030 target – Netherlands

    “Regular monitoring and oversight will be conducted to uphold the fiduciary integrity of healthcare systems, ensuring that Nigerians benefit from these resources.”

    Speaking on behalf of State Health Commissioners, Oyebanji Filani, Ekiti State’s Commissioner for Health and Human Services emphasized the necessity of adequate funding to ensure access to high-quality healthcare services at the grassroots level.

    He said plans are underway to enhance public health units and support frontline health workers while pledging that all States nationwide would prioritize the quality of care offered to Nigerians.

    “We are committed to ensuring that every Nigerian has access to good quality healthcare services.

    “By bolstering resources at the State level and fostering stronger collaboration with the federal government, we aim to significantly improve the quality of healthcare services in the near future.

    “With a focus on enhancing healthcare delivery nationwide, stakeholders anticipate tangible improvements in health services across the country,” he said. 

    The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Muyi Aina, who reiterated the organization’s dedication to accountability and improving service delivery, said there are several initiatives underway.

    Among these initiatives, according to him include the establishment of a dedicated call line for whistleblowers to report any discrepancies or malpractices observed in the field.

    In addition to intensifying its collaboration with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Aina said the NPHCDA aims to enhance transparency by utilizing software technology to track expenditure at the facility level, ensuring proper allocation of funds.

    “Reforms in programme implementation are underway, with a focus on incentivizing primary health centers to provide high-quality care. 

    “Investments are earmarked for improving the quality of facilities nationwide, informed by ongoing assessments to gauge the state of primary health centers. 

    “We are committed to structuring funding in a manner that encourages the delivery of quality healthcare services.

    “Our goal is to ensure that every Nigerian has access to the basic services they need”, Aina noted.  

    The Director-General of NHIA, Kelechi Ohiri, affirmed the government’s commitment to alleviating the burden of out-of-pocket healthcare expenses by ensuring financial access to healthcare for all Nigerians.

    According to him, the BHCPF’s goal of achieving UHC is well on track to fruition, with his agency playing a crucial role as one of the gateways for fund disbursement through massive enrollment of Nigerians to health insurance.

  • We are committed to Nigeria’s UHC 2030 target – Netherlands

    We are committed to Nigeria’s UHC 2030 target – Netherlands

    The Kingdom of Netherlands said it is committed to supporting Nigeria in her efforts towards the achievement of the 2030 target of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

    This is as the Nigerian government reiterated its commitment to the achievement of the UHC by 2030 with the enabling environment for development partners to thrive towards unlocking the nation’s healthcare value chain. 

    According to a statement by PharmAccess Country Director, Njide Ndili on Sunday, the Netherlands government’s commitment became evident through a high-powered trade mission to Nigeria last week, during a three-day Nigeria-Netherlands healthcare business collaboration forum held in Lagos and Abuja.

    The event was organized by PharmAccess, the Consulate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

    The visiting Dutch trade mission companies included AidX Medical B.V., AshCure Pharma B.V., Healthy Entrepreneurs, HemoClear, KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, Platos Health B.V., PSI Nigeria, Telecom, WCC Group, and Aidsfonds. 

    Also in attendance were Chief Executives of hospital groups, representatives from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), public sectors, and private sectors amongst several other business leaders.

    According to the statement, the Dutch Vice Minister for Public Health, Marjolijn Sonnema emphasized the critical need for a global perspective on healthcare, transcending traditional borders that confine the scope of public health efforts.

    She said: “In our interconnected world, borders only matter for people and products, but not for diseases. We must build resilience. We must build the world’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to all infectious disease outbreaks. We must look at healthcare on a global stage.”

    Read Also:FG tasks medical women professionals on UHC, cervical cancer

    In his remarks, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Abuja, Wouter Plomp, highlighted the critical need for quality inputs in the Nigerian healthcare sector. 

    He underscored the importance of addressing healthcare requirements at both primary healthcare centers, serving the majority of Nigeria’s over 200 million people, and specialized facilities focusing on diagnostics, prevention, and pharmaceuticals.

    Acknowledging the Nigerian government’s ambition to curtail outbound medical tourism and enhance investment in the domestic healthcare sector, Ambassador Plomp stated that meeting these goals would necessitate a substantial boost in both quantity and quality. 

    With confidence, he declared that the Netherlands is ready to embrace and contribute to this challenge.

    In his response, the National Coordinator, of Presidential Unlocking Healthcare Value-Chain Initiative, Abdu Mukhtar, assured the international community that the Federal government’s determination to foster an enabling environment for Nigeria’s public and private sectors is unwavering.

    “We are doing what is necessary to provide the enabling environment for the public & private sectors to thrive to ensure that we produce the things critical for the health and well-being of Nigerians while creating economic value and jobs”, he said.

    The three-day event that brought together Dutch companies and their Nigerian counterparts to strengthen the existing ties between the two countries in the fields of life sciences and healthcare, hosted the Vice Minister for Public Health of the Netherlands, Marjolijn Sonnema; the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Abuja, Wouter Plomp; the National Coordinator, Presidential Unlocking Healthcare Value-Chain Initiative, Abdu Muktar; and the Managing Director, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, Advanced Medical Services Limited, Dr. Tolulope Adewale.

    Other attendees included the Consul General of the Netherlands in Lagos, Michel Deelen; the

    President of the HFN, Dr. Pamela Ajayi; the Country Director of PharmAccess, Mrs. Njide Ndili, the Founder of AiDx Medical B.V, Mr. Temitope Agbana; the Executive Director, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Mrs. Uzoma Ezeoke, and many more. 

    Giving a presentation, the Vice President of the HFN and Country Director of PharmAccess, Njide Ndili in her discourse on Digital Transformative Technologies for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), outlined a vision of immense possibilities arising from the interconnectivity of billions of people through mobile devices. 

    She emphasized the transformative potential in this vast network, characterized by unprecedented processing power, storage capacity, and access to knowledge. 

    In her goodwill message, the President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Dr. Pamela Ajayi, emphasized the significance of focusing on the opportunities within Nigeria’s Healthcare Value Chain, with a special emphasis on the private sector, commending the Dutch Consulate for their foresight in recognizing investment prospects in Nigeria, especially during a period when other investors are withdrawing.