Speaking at the 65th National Council on Health, which was held in Maiduguri, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to attaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. He cited government programs under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including improving workforce training, modernizing health records through the Nigeria Digital in Health Initiative (NDHi), reforming the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, and fortifying primary healthcare. Dr. Salako highlighted initiatives such as the Special Presidential Initiative on Unlocking the Health Value Chain, which promotes local pharmaceutical manufacture and the integration of herbal medicine, while stressing the importance of vaccines, nutrition, and illness prevention in promoting community health.
This lofty objective is in line with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which places a strong emphasis on wellbeing and good health. The Nigerian government has demonstrated its steadfast commitment to UHC by implementing a number of important initiatives. A key component of these initiatives is the establishment of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) under the National Health Act. In addition, initiatives like the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) have prioritized illness prevention, maternity and child health care, and vaccinations.
BHCPF has been used to support underprivileged people.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” has also developed numerous measures in order to promote Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria. Improving healthcare access and lowering financial barriers for citizens are at the center of this objective. One of the agenda’s main initiatives is the appointment of professionals to head important medical facilities, including Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate as the Minister of Health. Approximately 750,000 more Nigerians have lately been insured by health Insurance programs as a result of the minister’s efforts to increase health insurance enrollment. Additionally, BHCPF and the Vulnerable Group Fund have been utilized to support underprivileged people’ access to healthcare.
Government has stepped up vaccination efforts to fight preventable diseases and given priority to allocating vital medical supplies to control outbreaks like Lassa Fever and diphtheria. Another noteworthy milestone is the introduction of the HPV vaccine program, which aims to protect millions of girls from cervical cancer. Moreover, efforts to digitize healthcare services are being made with the goal of increasing efficiency and improving patient outcomes. Despite advancements in health financing and policy, the nation’s ability to reach the UHC target is threatened by a number of structural issues.
Reassessing int’l recommendations on achieving the UHC.
It is considered that Nigeria is lagging behind in reaching meaningful progress toward universal health coverage by 2030, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target 3.8. Chronic underfunding in Nigeria’s healthcare system is a major problem, as health spending often falls short of the 15% National Budget threshold established by the Abuja Declaration. Approximately 73% of healthcare spending is paid for out of pocket, which puts millions of people in poverty. Effective service delivery is hampered by the fact that many primary healthcare facilities (PHCs) lack basic equipment, necessary medications, and qualified staff.
With Universal Health Coverage Day, observed annually on December 12, just three weeks away, Nigeria is presented with a critical window to review and bolster its healthcare initiatives. In order to meet the 2030 target, Nigeria must strengthen its efforts and reassess international recommendations on achieving the UHC target. Key international recommendations for reaching the UHC target include expanding health insurance coverage, improving primary health care, resolving health care access disparities, and boosting health funding. WHO advises redesigning health systems to focus on primary health care (PHC) as the cornerstone of UHC.
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Nigeria’s reaffirmed commitment to attaining UHC by 2030 is praiseworthy, but swift and consistent action is required to reach this target. At the grassroots level, service delivery can be enhanced by increasing funding for healthcare and ensuring that initiatives like the BHCPF are implemented effectively. While lowering out-of-pocket costs, the implementation of regional, reasonably priced health insurance programs can boost enrollment, especially in the rural areas and informal sectors. Improving overall health outcomes will also involve tackling socioeconomic determinants of health like poverty, education, and sanitation.