Jumoke Olasunkanmi
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has revealed that the Nigerian government is set to introduce the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
The initiative is aimed at helping Nigeria achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, the Minister said in a Monday night briefing.
He said, “The President Bola Tinubu led-administration is determined to deliver equitable and optimal health outcomes for the nation.”
He also highlighted the multifaceted approach required to achieve UHC, stating, “The quest to achieve UHC and better health for all Nigerians requires a multi-sectoral and whole-of-government approach.”
The NHSRII aims to guide the renewal of Nigeria’s health system as part of the broader health agenda, Pate said, while outlining its focus as ensuring access to essential services for every Nigerian regardless of location, economic status, or employment, without financial strain.
“The initiative directly confronts poor population health outcomes, intensified by highly inequitable access to health,” Pate affirmed. He further detailed plans to leverage the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), in collaboration with state governments and other development partners, to enhance health outcomes through a transformational sector-wide approach programme.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Muyi Aina, also stressed the importance of strengthening the Primary Health Care (PHC) system.
He emphasised that this step is crucial for building a sustainable healthcare system that can effectively respond to the needs of Nigeria’s growing population.
Aina expressed optimism regarding the NHSRII’s potential impact on achieving UHC, stating, “The successful implementation of the NHSRII can significantly contribute to achieving UHC in the country, ensuring that every Nigerian has access to quality healthcare services without suffering financial hardship.”
The initiative aligns with the National Health Act’s objectives and includes plans to train additional human resources for health and establish at least 17,000 functional primary healthcare centers. The comprehensive strategy involves assessing existing facilities, improving infrastructure, ensuring a sufficient health workforce, and actively engaging local communities for feedback.
The NHSRII initiative also coincides with the commemoration of Universal Health Coverage Day on December 12. This year’s theme, “Health for All: Time for Action,” underscores the need for immediate and tangible steps in creating the desired global health landscape.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) highlights the opportunity presented by this UHC Day to revitalize commitments towards accelerating UHC, particularly as countries recover from the far-reaching impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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