By Asma’u Ahmad
The Federal Government will adopt a new financing model as part of efforts to strengthen the Nigeria’s health system.
Vice President Yemi Osibanjo disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting to bring in private innovations in the health sector in Abuja.
Professor Osibanjo said that the government hopes to pay particular attention to North East Nigeria as part of efforts to ensure Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
He added that the meeting was designed to get private sector support for government’s initiative.
The vice president said that the continuous partnership with private sector players was to ensure adequate finance and deliver the UHC.
President Yemi Osibanjo
“It is also an opportunity for Nigeria’s health authorities to highlight some of the challenges in the sector,” he said
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, restated the government drive towards strengthening the national health system for effective, accessible and affordable delivery of basic primary healthcare services.
Dr. Ehanire said that despite the considerable progress recorded in the country, under nutrition continues to hamper the attainment of national goals with 37 per cent of children under five years of age stunted.
“Far too many newborns, children, adolescents and women still die from preventable conditions annually, especially among poor and vulnerable communities.”
He said that the lifetime risk of maternal death from pregnancy-related causes, which is one in 29 and only about 39 per cent of Nigerian women receive skilled attendance during childbirth.
The state minister for health called for continued partnership with the private sector so as to finance and deliver the UHC and therefore urged all stakeholders to join hands to ensure good and quality health delivery among women, children and adults in the country.
The Executive Director, Finance and Strategy, Sterling Bank, Mr Suleiman Abubakar, restated its commitment to relentlessly support the health sector and other critical sectors financially.
“We believe that scaling up innovative solutions for efficient health systems through public private partnerships is key to achieving tremendous advancements and successes in the health sector,” he said.
