The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for an uncommon reform of Nigeria’s health sector, even as it revealed that the country has the highest out-of-pocket expenditure in the African sub-region.
Lafiya360 reports that the Country Representative of the WHO, Dr. Walter Mulombo, made this known during the 64th National Council on Health (NCH) in Ekiti State, with the theme: “Building Resilience and Inclusive Healthcare System for a Healthy Nigeria.”
He noted that the high out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure in the country is also responsible for the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and related diseases.
He said, “With the burden of out-of-pocket expenditure on health, which is the highest in the region, a growing burden of non-communicable diseases on the background of high burden of communicable diseases, high maternal and childhood mortality rates, an unpredictable landscape in terms of multiple health emergencies, and a growing population, the health sector in Nigeria certainly requires an uncommon reform.
“Indeed, the sub-themes of this 64th NCH are very appropriate as they focus on the critical issues of health workforce, evidence-based research and development, health systems governance and access towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), digital transformation in health, and innovative financing.
“My expectation therefore is for this NCH to leverage on the strengths and opportunities of each tier of government to come up with feasible, less complex, and sustainable strategies that will work for the Federal and State Governments, in overcoming these challenges under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Program.”
He, however, commended the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda on Health, which aims to set up strategies to ensure that health is a human right, and that the duty of the government is to reduce poverty and promote economic development.
He further reiterated that the NCH gives opportunities to leaders in both the Federal and State Ministries of Health and partners to evaluate, implement, and co-create new ideas, and take far-reaching decisions on the future of the health sector in Nigeria.
He also called for a global radical shift from mere concepts to clear actions with measurable results in line with the recommitment of member states at the International Conference to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Alma-Ata and 5th anniversary of Astana declarations on primary health care in Astana, Kazakhstan, last month.
Mulombo reassured the Nigeria Government of the commitment of WHO towards providing technical support for the healthcare needs of citizens.