Inadequate political commitment has been identified as a major barrier to the attainment of adequate financing of healthcare that has led to poor funding of health in general, and primary healthcare in particular. Making the assertion in Lagos, experts from the health and banking sectors, called for adequate funding of the nation’s health sector for efficient healthcare delivery. In lectures to mark the 70th Anniversary of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi- Lagos, they stressed the need for an equitable healthcare financing in the country.
In his lecture entitled: “Finance Option for Efficient Healthcare Delivery in the 21st Century”, former Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Akin Osibogun, said a country’s finances of its healthcare system is a key determinant of the health of its citizenry which can be a major determinant of improved health outcomes for all citizens, especially the poorest.
Represented by Dr. Tochi Okwor, Osibogun further said “Equitable healthcare financing is an important part of an overall strategy to achieve Universal Health Coverage UHC.
“Hospitals need to balance their charges against utilisation levels, and also hospitals need to urgently consider de-centralisation strategies that will allow viable units to generate income. They should retain a worked-out percentage to guarantee continuous provision of quality services. `This is a key to future success of large hospitals, particularly teaching hospitals.
The Consultant Public Health/ Epidemiologist decried out of pocket payment of healthcare in Nigeria saying that “Paying out of pockets will lead to poor health seeking behaviours and inequity.” “ It should be the concern of governments to ensure a high level of efficiency and accountability in the system by developing a fair and sustainable financing system. Government should promote equity and access to quality and affordable healthcare, and the overall goal is to ensure that adequate and sustainable funds are available for healthcare delivery.’’
Earlier, in a lecture titled: Comprehensive Funding for Efficient Healthcare Delivery”, CEO, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr Yinka Sanni, identified several factors militating against quality healthcare in the country.
Represented by the Country Head, Human Capital, Olufunke Amonbi, Sanni called for private partnership, PPP, health insurance, among others as panacea to the poor health system of the country.
On his part, Medical Director, NOHIL, Dr. Olurotimi Odunubi, said while the budget is going down,e the cost of running was going up and patients demanding more advanced care.He said the challenges of health financing and a lot of out-of- pocket payment had made the hospital to begin to focus on other options to sustain the quality of care.
By: Chioma Obinna
Vanguard News
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