The National Assembly on Thursday says that Nigeria’s mortality indices remain extremely high despite the huge resources sunk into the health sector over the years by government at all levels. The federal parliament accordingly called for prioritisation of health security in the country on the template of the Universal Health Coverage.The Chairman, National Assembly Joint Committee on Health, Ibrahim Oloriegbe, stated this at a media briefing in Abuja.
He said that the issues had been put at the front burner of discourse at the forthcoming Fourth Annual Legislative Summit on Health, slated for next week in Abuja.
Oloriegbe, in a speech read at the briefing, said that actions by legislature have become critically necessary in view of the worrisome statistics.
He said, “This action by the legislature has become critically necessary as the country’s mortality indices have remained extremely high with minimal improvements, despite the magnitude of resources contributed to improving the statistics.
“For instance, the National Demographic Health Survey (2018) findings revealed that in the seven years preceding the survey, infant mortality rate was 67 deaths per 1,000 live births; under-five mortality was 132 deaths per 1,000 live births; and maternal mortality ratio was 512 deaths per 100,000 live births.
“Similar dismal indices are recorded across different health indicators and call for accelerated responses like this one, across different spheres of stakeholders to address the challenges giving rise to these’
He added that in addressing the problem , health security should be prioritized in the country through Universal Health Coverage .
According to him, in achieving that, the exclusive model of National Health Insurance Scheme ( NHIS ) being practised, must be made inclusive by expanding its cope beyond the 5 per cent of the population it covers to appreciable percentage of health care deliveries.
“Although the country is making attempts to take giant strides in its pursuit of Universal Health Coverage; these efforts and whatever achievements have been recorded could be quickly eroded if health security is not prioritized.
“This is obvious in the effect of the currently ravaging COVID-19 pandemic and other disease outbreaks that have greatly impacted the health system negatively.
” The approaches to ensure that health security is prioritized and at the same time the country’s UHC pursuit is not hindered is the focus of our discussions at this year’s 4th Annual Legislative Summit on Health”, he declared.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Health Services , Tanko Sununu said there was need for amendment of the existing National Health Insurance Scheme Act for actualisation of the Universal Health Coverage and by extension, health security.
source: Punch
