Towards Universal Health Coverage In Nigeria

There is renewed confidence in the management and programmes of the nation’s health sector in the last few days arising from bold indications of continuing efforts to revitalize and reposition the sector to  address the numerous challenges for the benefit of the silent majority of Nigerians who depend solely on public health institutions. The success of the presidential summit on universal health coverage in Nigeria (UHC) as encapsulated in the 2014 Declaration endorsed at the end of the summit is a positive development. Its significance lies in the articulation of an agenda of commitment to concerted action by the federal, state and local governments to overcome the basic challenges inhibiting the effective delivery of qualitative health care to the majority of Nigerians whose dire need cannot be over-stated. By bringing together all the important stakeholders in the health sector in general and primary health care in particular to share the latest international initiatives towards fast-tracking the attainment of universal health coverage and activating a common resolve to implement adopted strategies, the UHC Summit has no doubt set the stage for impactful intervention. This was also reflected in the presidential speech to the summit delivered by VP Namadi Sambo which urged lawmakers and policy makers as key stakeholders to “work together in establishing the correct legal and policy framework to address this new drive in meeting the health needs of our people.” continued