Healthcare Financing, Universal Health Coverage Dialogue Begins September 1

All is now set for a healthcare financing cum universal health coverage seminar which holds September 1 to 4 this year.

A high-level National Policy Dialogue under the theme, “Reimagining the Future of Health Financing in Nigeria, it is holding under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOHSW).

According to the ministry, the healthcare financing dialogue is expected to bring together, senior government officials, policymakers, development partners, civil society, academia, and the private sector to deliberate on innovative and sustainable approaches to healthcare financing that will guarantee equitable access to quality health services for all Nigerians.

This platform builds on Nigeria’s leadership within Africa in advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC). In February 2019,

Member states, including Nigeria had, at the African Leadership Meeting (ALM) during the 32nd Ordinary Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa in 2019,  made a landmark pledge to increase domestic healthcare financing.

According to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Nigeria’s next chapter in healthcare reform would be anchored on ongoing investments and national strategic reforms.

“At the heart of our next phase of transformation is a simple but urgent mission: to save lives, to reduce both physical and financial suffering, and to deliver health for all Nigerians, without leaving anyone behind”, he said.

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“Through the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, the Sector-Wide Approach, and our Strategic Plan; we are aligning government, partners, and resources behind a shared vision of equity, accountability, and sustainability”, he added.

According to the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, the Policy Dialogue, aims to amongst others:

1. Review findings from the State of Health Financing Report, and
2. Build consensus on nationally supported, politically feasible strategies to expand and sustain domestic health financing among others.