Health
Pate advocates healthcare investment for UHC in Nigeria
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Ali Pate,, has emphasised that investing in healthcare was crucial for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.
He made this statement on Thursday in Abuja at the commemoration of UHC Day 2024, themed “Health on the House Government.”
Pate underscored that healthcare investment was not solely the responsibility of the federal government, but a collective effort that included states and non-state actors.
“It is not only the Federal Government’s responsibility; states and global partners can do more.
“Non-state actors can also encourage others to prioritise greater investment, as good health is not achieved cheaply.
“Quality healthcare is not inexpensive, and for every investment made in health, the returns are far greater,” he said.
He highlighted that investments in healthcare would bring considerable dividends.
“For instance, a one dollar investment in combating Tuberculosis yields 43 dollars in return, while one dollar spent on immunisation generates multiple returns.
“By preventing pneumonia, we save both money and lives, which significantly impacts the economy,” he said.
Regarding the federal government’s efforts toward UHC, Pate noted that the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (HSRII) had already made a positive impact.
However, he acknowledged that the country still had a long way to go in terms of healthcare delivery.
According to him, over the past year, 238 facilities have been upgraded to functional level two, with an additional 320 facilities currently undergoing upgrades.
He said that states have also taken the initiative to upgrade 2,600 facilities using impact funds, and the Project Hope programme was providing incentives to upgrade another 2,000 facilities.
“More than 8,000 facilities are receiving direct funding through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) across all 36 states.
“Additionally, two million people have been enrolled in health insurance in the past year.”
The Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Salako, encouraged health workers to continue advancing the health system and called for greater public education on the importance of saving for healthcare.
He emphasised that saving for health was essential, just as one would save for car repairs.
Dr Walter Mulombo, the World Health Organisation’s Country Representative to Nigeria, stated that UHC was fundamentally a political choice.
He commended President Bola Tinubu’s leadership in UHC reforms, particularly his focus on sustainable and innovative financing.
“If Nigeria delivers on UHC, it will have a domino effect on Africa and the world,” he said.
Mr Dave Conalogue, Co-Chair of Health Development Partners in Nigeria, highlighted the positive changes brought about by development partners.
He emphasised their increasing support for government systems, including pooling resources and providing on-budget support to strengthen healthcare delivery.
NAN
Health
Cervical cancer elimination: Kebbi governor’s wife, 6 others bag award
The wife of former Kebbi Governor, Dr Zainab Bagudu, is to be honoured with the Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Ambassador for putting Nigeria on the global map on cervical cancer elimination.
This is contained in statement issued by the Stakeholders’ Summit on Cervical Cancer Elimination in Nigeria (SSCCEN).
The SSCCEN said that others to be honoured are Dr Ramatu Hassan as the National Coordinator who developed the first strategic plan for prevention and control of cancer of the cervix in Nigeria (2016-2020).
It said that Sen. Ibrahim Oloriegbe will be honoured as the Chairman of the Senate committee of the Ninth Assembly that ensured the successful kick start of the Cancer Health Fund (CHF).
Also to be honoured is Rep. Yusuf Sununu as the Chairman of the House Committee on healthcare services of the Ninth Assembly that ensured the successful kick start of CHF.
It also named Dr Faisal Shuaib, the past executive director of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) under whose leadership HPV vaccine was successfully introduced into the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) as one of the awardees.
The organisation also said that Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, the Managing Director of North-East Development Commission (NEDC) will be honored for his support for establishment of North East Collaboration for Cervical Cancer Elimination.
The SSCCEN said that UNICEF-Nigeria will be honoured for its significant role in the implementation of the first standalone stakeholders’ summit on cervical cancer elimination in Nigeria.
The organisation added that subsequent CCESA editions would honor best performing states and local governments that have made the most progress towards achieving the elimination targets.
The maiden edition of the award, it said, will hold during the opening ceremony of the summit on Friday.
According to the organisation, the World Health Organisation (WHO) launched Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative (CCEI) and the roadmap to cervical cancer elimination was launched on Nov. 17, 2020.
The SSCCEN was however conceptualised to promote collaboration between stakeholders in cervical cancer advocacy space in Nigeria. NAN)
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