A global health security seminar on political economy and its impacts on Universal Health Coverage progress in Nigeria was organised by Public Health Africa Policy Forum at Chatham House London on Tuesday 7th May 2019.
The programme afforded key players in Nigeria’s health sector to debunk some of the misconception around policy implementation in the last four years of the Buhari administration. Prof Isaac Adewole, Hon. Minister of Health, Federal Republic of Nigeria gave an insight into the challenges and achievements. It was an opportunity for Senator (Dr) Olanrewaju Tejuoso, Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Nigeria to give an account of his stewardship in the National Assembly.
The most populous country in Africa, Nigeria, has just re-elected Muhammadu Buhari for a second four-year term as president. Health remains a core vulnerability in Nigeria’s drive towards economic growth and prosperity, yet as the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria’s public spending on health is less than 1 per cent of its GDP and it total health expenditure accounts to only approximately 4 per cent of its GDP – a stark contrast to the 15 per cent target agreed in the Abuja Declaration for health spending that was endorsed by African leaders in 2001. Consequently, access to basic health services remains a challenge to most citizens and is reflected in the highest levels of out-of-pocket health spending.
However the last four years have shown some progress: there is a coherent national health strategy and increasing political focus and leadership directed towards UHC. This includes improved legislative capabilities for health and an enhanced engagement in health by the media and the public.
The next four years now present Nigeria with an opportunity to make strides towards UHC and improve its human and economic capital. This will largely depend upon the commitments of its political leaders to deliver tangible, measurable and sustainable solutions to current and future health challenges.
The event provided participants from governments and civil society the opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s journey to UHC over the last four years and to consider the priority areas for accelerating UHC progress in the coming four years.
Panellists and participants include:
Prof Isaac Adewole, Hon Minister of Health, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Senator Dr Olanrewaju Tejuoso, Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Nigeria.
Prof. Ladi Hamalai, Director General, National Institute for Legislative & Democratic Studies, Nigeria.
Prof. Hadiza Galadanchi, Director African Centre of Excellence for Population Health & Policy, Nigeria.
Mr Robert Yates, Director, UHC Policy Forum, Centre on Global Health Security, Chatham House.
Prof Aliko Ahmed, Associate Fellow and Convener, Public Health Africa Policy Forum, Centre on Global Health Security, Chatham House and Dr Ngozi Erondu, Senior Research Associate, Centre on Global Health Security, Chatham House coordinated the seminar.
Photo credits: Eugene Smith, African Voice Newspaper UK
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