The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, the management of the Ministry with the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners staged a Walk to commemorate the 2023 Universal Health Coverage Day.
This initiative was designed to create public awareness of the need to prioritise their health.
The Honourable Minister at a press briefing after the walk on Tuesday 12th December, in Abuja said the aim of the celebration was to ensure that no one was left behind in access to quality healthcare services that are affordable.
He said,' It's an important day because it takes into consideration the needs of all people regardless of their income, where they live, gender and other differences.
It is a day for everyone to think about how to move and ensure that everybody has access to action and that action requires actors to take steps at different levels.
'What we did this morning, walking from the Unity Fountain to the Ministry of Health, is exemplifying the actions that individuals can take to take care of their own health to ensure that they are fit, they exercise and eat well, they don't engage in risky behaviour that exposes them to illness Sotherton can produce health '
Pate posited that UHC was a political decision, adding a country had to decide not to leave its vulnerable, poor, and differently-abled citizens behind.
Therefore, the federal government is committed to working towards it, but it also needs partnerships with state governments our development partners, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the media to think positively and change the direction otherwise, the lack of progress that had been witnessed with previous efforts can continue if there is no genuine consensus in Nigeria to achieve this aspiration.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, Honourable Minister of State, also informed that there would be a signing of a Compact with the states later in the day, clearly outlining the roles and responsibilities of the Federal government and that of the States. This, he opined, would bring more Coordination that would give better results.
He further disclosed that, henceforth, the health insurance scheme would be in different categories and would accommodate certain ailments which hitherto were not included.
'We've designed different levels of coverage. One important level of coverage is that people will get a caesarian section if they need it. And as we escalate, different plans have been put in place even by the National Health Insurance Agency and the state Insurance Agency whereby all diseases will be covered depending on the plan you've chosen' Alausa explained.
The Country Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Walter Mulumbo attests that the world was lagging behind in terms of UHC. He maintained that the new Nigeria Health Sector Renewal initiative was an example of how a government was in alliance with international best practices.
'The new investment initiative provides the hope that will change the course in Nigeria. If we can do it in Nigeria, it would influence Africa and create a ripple effect globally.
The WHO would be signing the Compact today alongside other UN agencies and partners to support Nigeria to accelerate health,' he said.
Patricia Deworitshe Director information
