The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to sustainable health financing as a foundation for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Speaking at an event on the future of domestic financing, organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other partners on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78), Dr Salako highlighted Nigeria’s progress in implementing innovative and inclusive health reforms.
He said, “Nigeria is adopting a Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) to align stakeholders for better resource allocation, workforce strengthening, and evidence-based decision-making.”
“The Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) has been reorganised to be more transparent and timely in releasing funds for essential services, primary healthcare infrastructure, and emergency treatment.”
“The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act 2022 is being implemented diligently, with a 15% increase in health insurance subscription over two years.”
“Additionally, Nigeria is considering innovative funding mechanisms, including telecommunications and sugar-sweetened beverage levies, public health taxes on tobacco and alcohol, health trust funds, and health impact bonds.”
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“Nigeria has demonstrated leadership in continental and global advocacy for sustainable domestic investment in health by sponsoring a resolution on strengthening health financing globally at WHA78, chairing consultations for the resolution across 194 member states of the WHO, and mobilising member states to reaffirm the WHO mandate on health financing.”
Salako reiterated Nigeria’s focus on strengthening the implementation of the NHIA Act, expanding fiscal space for health, upscaling digital technology deployment, and creating robust mechanisms for accountability.
He invited continued partnership and knowledge-sharing across the global health community to collectively advance sustainable healthcare financing and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for all.
“We invite continued partnership and knowledge-sharing across the global health community to collectively advance sustainable healthcare financing and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for all,” he said.
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