Health Day: Experts Task FG towards achieving UHC for Nigerians

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Experts have unanimously called on government at all tiers on the need for total commitment in the health care sector in order to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for all Nigerians.

The call was made on Friday in Ilorin, during the 2023 World Health Day celebration organised by the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), with the theme: “Health for All”.

In his presentation, Mr Adelaja Abereoran, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Zonal Coordinator, North Central ‘A’ Zonal office, observed that UHC advocates a holistic approach to health, taking into consideration other determinants of health beyond health care.

According to him, there are social determinants of health which include water, sanitation, education, agriculture, culture and religion.

He noted that the issue of qualitative health should also focus on access to facilities and to financial risk protection, through health insurance and promotion of

Abereoran stated that to achieve health for all, there is need for equity in access to health services everyone who needs services should get them, not only those who can pay for them:

“The quality of health services should be good enough to improve the health of those receiving services; and people should be protected against financial risk, ensuring financial harm,” he said.

He described health insurance as a system of advance financing of medical expenses through contributions, or premium paid into a common fund or pool, to pay for all or part of specified health services (usually referred to as benefit package).

The NHIA boss said it is important for national, regional governments as well as partners and health care institutions to take proactive measures to prioritizing health.

“Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is achievable by 2030 given appropriate legislations, implementation of policies, programmes and collaborative partnerships among stakeholders.

“The NHIA will continue to promote health insurance and put in place programmes that will facilitate the goal of health for all now and always until Nigeria fully achieves Universal Health Coverage,” he said.

In her submission, Prof Omotayo Olukemi, a Consultant Paediatrician of UITH pointed out the need for equity for all in accessing healthcare especially for maternalans new born care.

According to her, people should not be exposed to financial risks while accessing health care.

She lamented that it has become common occurrence for people to resort to selling their personal properties to access health care in Nigeria, as there is no financial security.

She, however, tasked everyone to contribute towards achieving UHC, adding that this can be through taxation, insurance and Medical Savings Account among others.

Also Dr Mariam Jimoh, a Consultant Public Health Physician of the Department of Emipdemiology of UITH, relayed the history of health during the pre-colonial period, where traditional medicine was the system of health care delivery in our communities.

She also observed that pre-colonial period, at the time of slave trade, compelled the introduction of limited facilities for medical care for their staff.

“Throughout this period, medical care facilities were available only on board the slave ships.

“The slave traders never ventured inland beyond the coastal areas.

“A significant adverse consequence of the slave trade was the two-way trans-continental spread of infectious diseases with dire consequences in most cases,” she said.

According to her, in contemporary times, the NHS was established to provide easy access to healthcare for all Nigerians at sn affordable cost through various prepayment mechanisms.

Jimoh noted that the ultimate objective is to ensure the achievement of UHC for all Nigerians.

The expert, however, observed that the scheme covers only about 10 percent of Nigerians, adding that this is leaving the most vulnerable population at the mercy of healthcare services that are not affordable.

She noted that though Nigeria has made progress in the development of health sector, however, a lot still needs to be done.

The expert called for political will on the part of the government to implement policies and strategies already developed and also increase funding through increase in budgetary allocation for health

Earlier speaking Dr Rhoda Aibinuomo , the Chief Resident of the Department of Epidemiology and Community Health explained that this year’s theme is apt as it emphasised health for all.

She added that the programme afford the opportunity to look back at the success that have been achieved in the public health field over the last 70 years.

“This has led to improvement in the quality of life, but a lot still has to be done if the goal of health for all must be attained.
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