Posted on: Thu 20-02-2025

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the health sector through strategic policies and initiatives to improve governance, healthcare delivery, and medical workforce retention.

Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr Salma Anas, stated this at the Strategic Health Summit organised by Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) to review the progress made under President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the health sector.

She underscored the government’s achievements in transforming the health sector, particularly through restructuring the Ministry of Health to enhance coordination, and support across multiple sectors, and ensure a more holistic approach to healthcare.

Anas said: “One of the key reforms was the extension of the retirement age for healthcare providers to 65 years, a bold move aimed at retaining experienced professionals and mitigating the effects of brain drain in the medical field.”

She also highlighted the government’s policy on health worker migration, which aims to balance workforce retention, while ensuring motivation and efficiency within the system.

She revealed that the government has implemented measures to encourage the production of drugs and medical equipment, including granting zero tax on imported medical supplies and ingredients.

“The goal is to make Nigeria self-sufficient in medical production and ultimately position the country as an exporter,” she added.

The summit also addressed the challenge of dwindling donor funding, particularly from key partners such as USAID, which has impacted HIV/AIDS interventions. Anas assured Nigerians that the government remains committed to making the country’s health sector resilient and independent through increased domestic resource mobilisation.

“We have seen an increase in the budgetary allocation for health in 2024, with further increments planned to bridge gaps left by donor funding cuts,” she said.

Also speaking, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, explained that the Bola Tinubu administration on assumption of office inherited a health sector that had faced persistent challenges, including stagnation in key health indicators.

He stated that Tinubu’s swift interventions left no doubt about the sincerity of his commitment to transforming healthcare.

The SGF noted that the subcommittee played a pivotal role in shaping the Renewed Hope Health Agenda, a strategic policy direction endorsed by the president to guide healthcare transformation in the country.

Akume reaffirmed the government’s commitment to accelerating progress in the coming months and years, ensuring optimal and equitable health care to all Nigerians.

On his part, Minister of Health, Prof Muhammad Pate, stated that the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, a four-year plan centred on governance, and population health outcomes has unlocked the health value chain and health security.

The minister, who was represented by Dr Kamil Shoretire, emphasised the administration’s focus on improving the functionality of federal and primary healthcare facilities through increased funding, training, and infrastructure development.

He said: “We are ensuring that hospitals provide high-quality services, equipping them with necessary resources, and enhancing affordability. The Basic Health Care Provision Fund is vital in supporting primary healthcare centres, ensuring they are adequately staffed and stocked with essential medicines.”

Pate said that unlocking Nigeria’s health value chain is a key priority, with the government actively inviting manufacturers to set up production facilities in the country. “Local production of medical supplies will not only reduce costs but also create jobs and boost the economy,” he said.

On health security, the minister stated that the government is learning from past experiences, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, to strengthen emergency preparedness and response systems. “We don’t pray for another pandemic, but we must be prepared for future health crises,” Shoretire stated.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER

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