By Hassan Zaggi
The World Health Organisation (WHO), has called on countries to demonstrate political commitment to build strong health system.
It, however, warned that there is no single pathway to the attainment of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC), insisting that all countries must find their own ways in the context of their own social, political and economic circumstances.
The Country Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Nigeria, Walter Mulombo, disclosed this at the 6th annual conference of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ) which was organised in collaboration with the WHO in Akwanga, Nasarawa State.
| The 3-day Conference was with theme: “Universal Health Coverage (UHC): How Can Nigeria Get it Right – the Role of the Media.” Represented by the Field Presence Cluster Lead, WHO, Ahmed Khedr, the WHO Country Representative, said: |
“But the foundation everywhere must be a political commitment to building a strong health system, based on primary care, with an emphasis on disease prevention and health promotion.
“Such health systems do not only provide the best health outcomes; they are also the best defense against outbreaks and other health emergencies. In this sense, UHC and health security are truly two sides of the same coin.”
He, however, applauded the federal government of Nigeria for consistently releasing its commitment of at least 1% of their consolidated revenue fund towards the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).
“It is expected that the BHCPF if well implemented, would provide a great opportunity to turn political commitment into tangible gains, while rallying development partners and the private sector around revitalizing primary health care as the foundation of UHC,” he said.
On the recently signed NHA Bill, Dr. Mulombo said: “The National Health Act (NHAct) laid a firm foundation for making UHC a reality, by guaranteeing a basic package of health services for all Nigerians while making available predictable financing through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.
“Just in May this year (2022) the President signed into law, the National Health Insurance Authority Bill, making health insurance mandatory for all legal residents in Nigeria, designating States the implementers of health insurance, and creating the Vulnerable Group Fund meant to cater for over 83 million poor and vulnerable citizens. What is most critical at this time is to ensure diligent implementation of these laws towards accelerating access to their well-intended dividends to the people.”
In his address of welcome, the President, Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ), Hassan Zaggi, called on lawmakers at all levels to enact laws that will support enrolment in health insurance in their areas.
Zaggi insisted that in order to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses, communities and associations must begin to adopt models that suit their enrolment in health insurance to enable them access health care services when the need arises without catastrophic expenditure.
While calling on lawmakers at all level to device a way of enrolling the poor residents of their areas in health insurance, Zaggi said: “I, therefore, call on our Senators, House of Representative members, House of Assembly members, Councilors to adopt villages, communities and individuals in their constituencies by paying their health insurance premium annually.
“Since democracy has come to stay in Nigeria, sustainability and continuity of this model should not be a challenge for our current leaders successors.
“This will go a long way in reducing the out-of-pocket expenditure for health care among our people.”
The ANHEJ President, however, announced the plan by his association to enroll 50 of its members in health insurance.
He further disclosed that the group will unveil Fellows which will serve as ambassadors of the group.
The Fellows, he explained, will be among those who have consistently cover the health sector for many years, with good reputation, integrity and have performed creditably well.
The health insurance enrolment and the inauguration of the Fellows, according to him, will be supported and funded by the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) with its headquarters in Abuja.
“I am glad to announce to you that the Association of Nigeria of Health Journalists has concluded plans to launch a health insurance for our members next month.
“One of our reliable partners, the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) has committed to support us achieve this and for the first phase, we are considering enrolling up to 50 health journalists. The selection process will be very stringent with performance as one of the criteria for enrollment.
“We also intend to inaugurate Fellows for the association who will serve as our Ambassadors. These are people who have remained committed to reporting health for a long time and have performed creditably well,” Zaggi said.
