The Federal Government says Nigeria’s next chapter in healthcare reform will be anchored on ongoing investments and national strategic reforms.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, announced this in a statement issued on Wednesday by Mr Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director/Head of Information and Public Relations.
The statement said the ministry would convene a High-level National Policy Dialogue on Healthcare Financing and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) from September 1 to 4 in Abuja.
The dialogue, themed “Reimagining the Future of Health Financing in Nigeria,” is expected to bring together senior government officials, policymakers, development partners, civil society, academia, and the private sector.
Pate said: “At the heart of our next phase of transformation is a simple but urgent mission: to save lives, reduce both physical and financial suffering, and deliver health for all Nigerians, without leaving anyone behind.
“Through the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, the Sector-Wide Approach, and our Strategic Plan, we are aligning government, partners, and resources behind a shared vision of equity, accountability, and sustainability.”
Dr Kelechi Ohiri, Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), highlighted the agency’s commitment to scaling health insurance coverage and deepening financial protection.
He noted that the dialogue would review findings from the State of Health Financing Report and build consensus on nationally supported and politically feasible strategies to expand and sustain domestic health financing.
The statement recalled that in February 2019, during the African Leadership Meeting (ALM) at the 32nd Ordinary Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Nigeria joined other member states in pledging to increase domestic financing for health.
The commitment was part of a broader effort to strengthen health systems across the continent and ensure sustainable healthcare funding.
It added that the ALM Declaration reaffirmed the continent’s commitment to stronger, more resilient, and self-reliant health systems.
