Federal Government Acquires Over $1 Billion to Advance Healthcare Changes in Nigeria
Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, recently addressed the BusinessDay Health Conference in Abuja, outlining the ongoing health sector reforms in Nigeria. The conference's theme was 'Transforming Nigeria's Healthcare Landscape: Government Reforms as Catalysts for Unlocking the Full Potential of the Healthcare Value Chain'.
The minister emphasised that the reforms are an actionable transformation agenda, focused on saving lives and improving patient outcomes. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, health is viewed as a vital investment for national prosperity, productivity, and security in Nigeria.
Dr. Salako described the ongoing reforms as foundational shifts aimed at producing health, not just delivering healthcare. The initiative is underpinned by digitization, performance-based accountability, and smarter spending.
The minister highlighted priority areas for the Federal Government's healthcare reforms. Funds from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund are being channeled to primary healthcare centers, prioritizing vulnerable groups and advancing access through community-based health insurance models and integrated financing.
The government has increased medical school intake by 62% since 2023 and employed 15,000 new health workers. The 'Power in the Health Sector' Initiative has been launched to develop a national policy framework for sustainable energy access in health institutions. This includes addressing energy reliability through the Energy for Health Initiative, which is deploying solar hybrid systems and clean energy solutions in federal hospitals and primary healthcare centers.
The National Digital Health Initiative (NDHI) provides a roadmap for a secure, interoperable digital health ecosystem, creating jobs and protecting patient data. The Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) is providing targeted incentives in pharmaceutical manufacturing, diagnostics, infrastructure, and health technology. This has benefited 87 local manufacturers so far.
The government partners involved in financing health reforms in Nigeria include international donors and agencies such as USAID, which support initiatives like local production of medicines and tests for diseases like HIV and malaria. The funding was secured through partnerships with WHO, USAID, the World Bank, Gavi, and others. The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured over $1 billion in concessional financing and grants.
Dr. Salako emphasised that government alone cannot heal Nigeria's health system. He called for the involvement of the private sector, civil society, academia, and subnational governments. The minister's speech underscored the commitment of the Nigerian government to transforming the healthcare landscape and unlocking the full potential of the healthcare value chain.
