The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has assured Nigerians that the Basic Health Care Provision Funds approved by the present administration is underway. The founds has already been processed by the Federal Ministry of Finance and would be released in no distance time. It should be recalled that the National Assembly approved the release of 1% consolidated revenue to the health sector with a view of providing minimum healthcare package to all Nigerians with less financial difficulties. However, delay in releasing the approved funds is causing agitation by the civil society organizations
The Minister said the Federal Government and partners in the health sector were strongly united to benefits from the Universal Health Coverage. “As partners in this global initiative, we are united in the desire to advance the benefits of UHC by ensuring that every Nigerian everywhere, regardless of social or other status has access to equitable, affordable, quality healthcare service, without suffering financial hardship”.
Ehanire said that Nigeria as a member state of the World Health Organization (WHO), subscribed to the WHO 1946 constitution, which envisaged the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right of every human being. Universal Health Coverage was the key aspirations of every government, the present administration had made it a cardinal objective to provide healthcare services to all citizens.
“Government is deeply committed to increasing investment in Nigeria’s health system to strengthen and improve service delivery and continuously improve access for citizenry from primary to tertiary level of care through expanded health insurance scheme and efficiently managed facilities.”
The Minister said to underscore the commitment of Nigerian Government in providing of healthcare services to Nigerians, apart from 2018 consolidate revenue approved; the President had directed the full release of N9.7 billion Naira budgeted to ensure Polio elimination in Nigeria.
Earlier, during the road walk to sensitize the general public on the Universal Health Coverage Commemoration Day, the WHO representative, Dr. Rax Npazanje, said that World Health Organization would continue to provide support towards achieving Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria.
Source: Pharmatimes
