May 2021 HFN Executives Advocacy Visits

Legislative Summit on Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC), May 24th, 2021

Two HFN Executives, The President, Dr. Pamela Ajayi, and Vice president, Mrs. Njide Ndili were panelists at the Legislative Summit on UHC held at Transcorp Hilton Abuja on Monday 24th May 2021. Notable among the panelist were Professor Mohammed Nadir Sambo, Executive Secretary of The National Health insurance Scheme, Dr. Ben Nkechika, Executive Secretary, Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Agency. The Discussion focused on the implementation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).  Madam President talked about the Critical need for Governments' strategic partnership with the private sector and CPR/Need for clear legislation absolving first responders at an RTA of responsibility, whilst assisting or giving CPR.

Mrs. Njide Ndili Vice President of Healthcare Federation of Nigeria also spoke on “Universal Health Coverage” and the need to leverage digital and mobile technology to achieve UHC.  She noted that without leveraging digital and mobile technology Nigeria cannot achieve UHC by 2030. The panelists deliberated on Nigeria's Quest for Universal Health Coverage and leading the discussion was Honorable Yusuf Tanko Sununu, Chairman House Committee on Healthcare Services.  Other speakers include Dr. Ngozi Azodoh, Director Department of Planning Research and Statistics Federal Ministry of Health.

  Visit with the IFC/World Bank Team
The HFN team met with the IFC/World Bank Team at The Legislative Summit on Health 2021. The meeting was centered around advocacy for healthcare financing in the private health sector. 

Picture: From Left Dr. Kunle Adeyemi-doro( Treasurer), Olumide Okunola (Senior Health Specialist IFC), Dr Pamela Ajayi (President), Njide Ndili (Vice President), Kolapo Fapohunda (Publicity Secretary), Dr. Joyce Barber (HFN Abuja)

Visit with the MD/CEO of Healthwatch Magazine
The EXCO met with Vivianne Ihekweazu, MD Nigeria Healthwatch, and the discussion included HFN challenges and successes HFN while engaging with the government stakeholders during the peak of Covid19 pandemic. 

In addition, there was a focus on the importance of the work the HFN has been doing in supporting private sector organizations and how this can be leveraged going forward to provide the technical assistance and expertise for organizations and individuals looking to set up operations in Nigeria, in particular, to reverse the brain drain and support those in the Diaspora looking to strengthen the Nigerian health sector.
Picture: From Left Dr. Kunle Adeyemi-doro(Treasurer), Vivianne Ihekweazu(MD Nigeria Health Watch), Dr. Pamela Ajayi(President), Njide Ndili(Vice President) Kolapo Fapohunda(Publicity Secretary), Dr. Joyce Barber.

The HFN Advocacy Visit to CBN was to discuss access to finance for private health sector stakeholders with CBN.

Issues presented by HFN included: maintaining the 5% interest rate on the CBN Healthcare intervention fund, Access to funds for Pharmaceutical manufactures, Hospitals and other healthcare facilities, SMEs and Greenfields in the healthcare business, FX availability, excess taxation, recovery of funds, and the progress made by CBN on the NCR (National Collateral Registry) initiative. 
Picture: From Left. Adeyemi Adewole (Financial Secretary), Njide Ndili (Vice President), Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi(Deputy Governor CBN), Dr Pamela Ajayi(President),Dr Kunle Adeyemi-doro(Treasurer), Yinka Oyenyin(Finance Committee), Kolapo Fapohunda(Publicity Secretary).

Visit with The Ministry of Health, at Departments of PPP/Diaspora and Food and Drug Services
The HFN team was received by Dr. Bola Olowu, Director for PPP and Diaspora. HFN highlighted various discussion points which included issues of HS codes, Excess duties, Access to Incentives provided to the Health sector, and challenges facing Diaspora professionals.
 
We were assured particularly on the HS Codes, and that the government is looking at the issues of wavier, import duties, and other concessions. The food and Drug Services Department also plans to organize a Stakeholders meeting/workshop on the issues. Dr. Pamela assured them that HFN is happy to work with the Ministry on the workshop and Dr. Olowu expressed appreciation for the advocacy efforts by HFN. She said the Ministry is open to working with the Private Sector to improve the Nigerian healthcare Sector

Visit with National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)

At the HFN Advocacy Visit to NITDA, the discussion focused on the data protection/privacy toolkit for the Healthcare sector. Dr. Pamela thanked NITDA for sending a representative to the HFN webinar on Data protection/privacy and reiterated the request for a special moratorium for Health facilities. She pointed out that the cost offered by the DPCOs (Data Protection Compliance Organizations) to carry out a data audit is very high and many of the smaller healthcare providers could not afford it. She requested NITDA to find a way to make data auditing/protection affordable for all Medical organizations.
 
In response, Vincent O. Olatunji Director- eGovernment Development and Regulatory representing the Director-General of NITDA said NITDA is currently is working with the Lagos state ministry of Health to set up a test run for the National Health Tool kit and is willing to work with all stakeholders in the health sector. Olufemi Daniel (Lead, Nigeria Data Protection Regulation Desk) said the idea for the industry tool kit was drawn from the discussions at the HFN webinar where he represented the agency. The Director- eGovernment Development and Regulatory applauded the HFN advocacy team for taking out time to visit the agency and the offer of HFN to work with NITDA and the Lagos state ministry of health on the development of the Health sector tool kit. 
Picture: From Left. Olufemi Daniel(Principal Legal Officer NITDA) Dr. Joyce Barber(HFN Abuja), Mr. Kolapo Fapohunda(Publicity Secretary HFN), Vincent Olatunji(Director eGovernment NITDA), Dr Pamela Ajayi(President HFN), Dr Kunle Adeyemi-doro(Treasurer HFN)

Visit with Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC)
HFN Advocacy Visit to NIPC was made in conjunction with the IFC and was led by the President, Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, Dr. Pamela Ajayi. Discussions included talks on the finalization and implementation of the Healthcare incentives for the private health sector was discussed. While highlighting the unique role of the NIPC in facilitating policy provision, Ms. Yewande Sadiku, the Executive Secretary, promised to take immediate steps to achieve this. The negative impact of the HS Codes on the private health care sector was also highlighted and NIPC was asked to help proffer a lasting solution to it. Ms. Sadiku advised on ways it could be resolved and stated that it is imperative that a workshop be organized to have all the relevant stakeholders and full support from implementing ministries.
Picture: From Left  Dipo Baruwa(NIPC), Dr. Umar Yaradua(IFC), Dr. Kunle Adeyemi-doro(Treasurer HFN), Dr Pamela Ajayi (President HFN), Mrs. Yewande Sadiku(Executive Secretary NIPC) Mrs. Njide Ndili(Vice President HFN) Mrs. Yinka Oyenyin (HFN Finance Committee), Mr. Adeyemi Adewole(Financial Secretary)

Visit with Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA).
Dr. Pamela let the team in an advocacy visit to NEPZA. The visit was to officially follow up on the request made in the past by HFN and to thank the leadership of NEPZA for the establishment of the Medical Special Economic Zones in Nigeria. She also asked for a copy of the gazette to be presented to members. She inquired about the implementation process and how HFN members could take advantage of the new provisions.
 
Mr. Mu’azu said the implementation will be driven by the private sector under the regulatory supervision of the government. He said the agency is starting with three zones located in Lagos, Kwara, and Kastina. Lagos will be the first to take off which is scheduled for the third quarter of the year. Mr. Mu’azu said the special zones operate under a free zero custom rate. On the issue of access to finance, he explained that NEPZA has reached out to financial institutions to see if they can finance businesses that wish to operate in the special zones.

Prof Adesugba commended HFN for its proactive role in promoting the interests of the Private Health Sector. The Gazette can be downloaded HERE
Picture: From Left. Mu'azu M.H. Ruma(Director Zones NEPZA), Dr.Kunle Adeyemi-doro(Treasurer),Dr Pamela Ajayi(President), Professor Adesoji Adesugba(MD NEPZA)

Visit with African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)
HFN team made an Advocacy Visit to National Action Committee on African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to discuss the potentials and role of the Private Health sector in its development.
Mr. Francis Anatogu the Secretary of the Committee said “AfCFTA is the ticket to survival” and the key for Nigerian economic survival is production. He said AfCFTA is looking at ways to reduce Nigerian's dependency on Oil and also reduce the medical and educational tourism out of Nigeria. He said the aim of the committee is to create a friendly environment for businesses to thrive, grow the workforce and productivity levels in Nigeria amongst others. Mr. Francis stated that one of HFN’s role is to help AfCFTA develop the Healthcare Substance plan which will cover all aspects from medical equipment to healthcare consumables.
 
Dr. Pamela reaffirmed HFN's availability to working with the AfCFTA committee and reversing medical tourism. She also outlined a major problem faced by the Health sector as  HS Codes, where healthcare companies pay excessive custom duty even where there are supposed to be waivers and this might make Nigeria uncompetitive if not resolved in the continental free trade agreement implementation. He said he is ready to support HFN towards a stakeholder workshop to resolve the HS Code issue.
Picture: From Left Franca Chinedu(Strategy Coordinator AfCFTA), Engr. Mobolaji Olagbemiro(Project  Coordinator AfCFTA), Dr. Joyce Barber(HFN Abuja), Dr. Kunle Adeyemi-doro(Treasurer HFN), Dr. Pamela Ajayi(President HFN) Francis Anatogu(SSA/ Secretary AfCFTA), Adeyemi Adewole(Financial. Dr Barber was nominated to be on the review committee for Healthcare.