In order to stop the ongoing industrial action in the business, governments around the nation have been urged to implement sustainable methods of funding the health sector.
According to the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), bringing creative and unconventional solutions to Nigeria’s health sector’s pressing funding and resource problems is the only option to restore industrial harmony to the industry.
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Eze Onyekpere, the head of CSJ, spearheaded efforts to address issues like rising inflation, the elimination of fuel subsidies, exchange rate unification, inadequate funding, and the pressing need for the National Health Insurance Authority Act’s full implementation at a workshop on “Innovative and Alternative Funding of the Health Sector” held in Abuja.
CSJ demanded a transformation in the healthcare system, assuring greater access and high-quality care for all Nigerians, in a comprehensive list of proposals.
The workshop was a component of CSJ’s “Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement” initiative, which was supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
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The project aims to promote openness and accountability in public health sector spending while also improving adherence to current laws and rules.
The health sector was asked to make demands in the face of these difficulties in order to ensure that resources stay up with inflation and to take advantage of new financing options.
Implementing the National Health Insurance Authority Act is crucial for lowering high out-of-pocket medical expenses in Nigeria, claims Onyekpere. The NHIA will be crucial in achieving the aim of universal health coverage. Utilization and openness of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund must be improved. In order to help the poorest of the poor, we must allocate more money for service delivery.
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The Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) should be optimized and its management should be transparent, according to workshop attendees, who also asked for more funding for social health insurance to serve vulnerable groups.
Frank Muonemeh, executive secretary of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN), stated that the industry was collaborating with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to ensure that citizens had access to essential medications through health insurance, but he also urged the government to demonstrate greater political will and commitment in addressing the nation’s health issues.
The National Health Insurance Authority Act’s implementation and the creation of a Health Development Bank of Nigeria with a focus on supporting health facilities and equipment were also emphasized throughout the session. It also emphasized how urgent it is to address the brain drain issue in the health industry and improve human resources.
There have been proposals for the Minister of Health to compile and deliver an annual report on the state of health to the President and National Assembly in order to increase accountability and transparency. Additionally, the need for frequent publishing and open access to information was emphasized along with the importance of transparency in the operation of the BHCPF.
In order to establish peer review and benchmarking exercises centered on strategic aims in the health sector, the workshop stressed the necessity for cooperation across several stakeholders, including civil society, donors, and the National Council on Health.
The workshop attendees offered a number of suggestions for addressing the significant difficulties and enhancing funding in the health sector. To realize the right to health for all Nigerians, they emphasized the significance of creative finance options, accountability mechanisms, and smart investments in health infrastructure and human resources.
The workshop’s results are anticipated to guide policy choices and open the door to a more reliable and long-lasting healthcare system in Nigeria.
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