To commemorate the 2022 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization has said it is committed to ensure that every Nigerian has access to health services.
Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire stated this in Abuja at a press briefing to mark the commemoration.
NatureNews.Africa reports thats a roadshow to create awareness on citizens rights to healthcare services was also held to mark the day which had the theme: Building the World We Want: Health Future For All.
Minister of Health, who was represented by Mr. Okechukwu Okwudili, Director planning research and statistics at the Ministry said the Federal Government has appropriated at least 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Account for the delivery of health services to Nigerians.
He explained that UHC is a means of delivering health services to the citizens without financial constraints, adding that, this covers the full spectrum of essential health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.
He further stated that as at October 2022, 101 billion naira (about 83 per cent of total funds to be released this year) has been disbursed for service delivery across over 7, 600 primary health care facilities across the country.
‘These funds flow through the National Primary Healthcare Development Authority (NPHCDA), National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the Emergency services gateway of the BHCPF,” the Minister.
Speaking on the theme, “The 2022 UHC day theme: “Build the world we want: A healthy future for all,” calls on all individuals to play their part in the goal to achieve a resilient health system that is able to provide quality services without impoverishing anyone.
“Citizens have the responsibility to hold us accountable and demand better services from the health facilities, owned by the Local Councils, State & Federal Governments. Citizens should insist on better health investments from those who govern them at all levels,” he added.
The WHO Country Representative, Dr Walter Molumbo revealed that the WHO calls on Nigeria,and other countries to invest, update national health plans by ensuring public budgetary resources remain at the core of financing for UHC, strengthen health systems and reorientation of PHC, public and private capital investments.
She added that the ‘green’, improve tax administration, reduce unnecessary, potentially harmful subsidies, supported by coordinated, pooled partner funds as needed in support of the national plan.
“The recently enacted NHIA Act and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund are commendable examples of steps that Nigeria has taken towards ensuring reduced catastrophic out-of-pocket expenditure by the Nigerian people.
“Integrate are to strengthen the integrated national health system using a PHC approach to deliver essential quality services with financial protection, with equity-oriented, gender-sensitive and rights-based programming to reach and engage those in greatest need and improve the health and well-being of all people at all ages.
“As you may be aware, WHO released a guidance, “Framework for Primary Health Care” with the theme Transforming Vision into Action’ to support countries with technical guidance on reorientation of their health systems towards primary health care.
“We call on the government to incorporate this framework in the PHC revitalization agenda to comprehensively transform primary health Care in the country,” WHO.
Meanwhile, In the questions and answers sessions, the Director of Plannings Research and Statistics said the UHC is a component of a physical healthcare provision that provides an easy way to involve the vulnerable group healthcare services. Adding that about 83 million vulnerable groups Nigerians in that category.