The Federal government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has launched the Maternal Mortality Reduction Initiative which would provide free emergency care at key facilities in the country.
At a Press Conference in Abuja to mark the 2024 Universal Health Coverage Day, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate mentioned that over 200 primary healthcare centers had been completed, with 300 more in progress while 2,000 facilities were supported by state governments.
Professor Pate also expressed satisfaction over the successful enrollment of 2 million Nigerians in the National Health Insurance Authority scheme within a year, which he described as a milestone that would reflect accelerated efforts toward financial protection for citizens.
“If we had maintained this pace for two decades, over 40 million Nigerians would now have health insurance. We must also take into cognisance, the importance of revenue from taxation and strategic investment in primary healthcare.”
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako maintained that it was a collective responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure the sustenance of Universal Health Coverage adding that quality healthcare and health insurance was of top priority under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“We must not rest on our laurels. Health is an investment, and everyone must play a part in ensuring universal health coverage..”
The World Health Organization, WHO, Country’s Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo, lauded the the federal government’s for its achievements especially the successful implementation of the NCA-65 activity and significant progress in healthcare financing.
Similarly, health stakeholders including the Co-Convener of the Nigeria UHC Forum, Dr. Gafar Alawode, advocated deliberate strategies to expand health insurance coverage to at least 50% of the population, citing the need for innovative financing and resource optimization.
