President Bola Tinubu said Tuesday that his administration is prioritising and improving Nigeria’s health sector through massive investments and allocation of increased funds in the proposed 2024 budget.
The president said this at the unveiling of Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the signing of the Health Renewal Compact by federal, state governments, and development partners in Abuja.
The event was a part of activities marking Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, observed annually on December 12.
“Delivering improved quality health is an underpinning factor in my promise of Renewed Hope to Nigerians. That hope is ignited here today with the support of all multilateral partners and agencies, health is back on the front burner.
”This occasion marks an opportunity for collective reflection and action as we recommit ourselves to the noble pursuit of health for all. The theme for this year ‘Health for All: Time for Action’ encapsulates the urgency and the determination with which we must approach this noble goal.
”Health is not merely the absence of disease but the embodiment of physical, mental, and social well-being. It is a fundamental human right and Nigeria’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Care Coverage is reflected in the unwavering dedication of my administration to uphold this right for every individual, young or old, in rural or urban areas,” he said.
Stressing the importance of primary healthcare in building a resilient, integrated healthcare system, the president announced plans for a comprehensive revamp of physical infrastructure, equipment, and the re-training of frontline health workers starting from 2024.
To address the high cost of healthcare, the president said the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) would be redesigned to enhance access to essential healthcare services as outlined in the National Health Act (2014).
He emphasized that the coordination and implementation of these initiatives must be non-partisan.
Also speaking, the the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, highlighted the key policy actions of the administration in the health sector, saying that the BHCPF has been redesigned as the foundational basis for a sector-wide approach.
He said the BHCPF, comprising at least 1% of the Consolidated Revenue
Fund, is expected to receive at least $2.5 billion in pooled and non-pooled financing from 2024 to 2026 to improve the primary health system nationwide.
The minister outlined plans to double the number of fully functional Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) from 8,809 to 17,618 by 2027 across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), adding that these PHCs will be linked to a comprehensive emergency care system.
