The Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, has promised to introduce innovative policies that will transform Nigeria’s health sector and improve the poor health index if elected to power.
He also promised to reverse the brain drain currently being experienced in the country’s health sector.
Speaking at a symposium organized by the Health Transformation Coalition (HTC) with the theme, “Repositioning the Health Care Sector: Creating a Pathway to an Effective Health System” yesterday in Abuja, Tinubu said if he becomes the next President of Nigeria, he will transform the health care system into one that accessible, affordable and deliver quality services to people regardless of status and geographic location.
He promised to ensure proper utilization of funds for the health sector and create a functional health care system in Nigeria.
The former governor of Lagos State stated that he has a record of monumental achievements in the state and the legacy he left behind in the field of health.
Tinubu who was represented by the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, noted that the budget for the health sector is low, the main concern is how the available funds have been utilised, adding that Nigeria must use technology. to integrate all sources of funding for the health sector to ensure transparency and accountability in the system.
He said: “The budget for the health sector is small, but the main concern is the use of available funds and how we can integrate all the support from different sources for the health sector.
“We must use technology to integrate all funding sources to ensure transparency and accountability in the system. We will not only ensure that the budget of the health sector increases but also create a system that ensures funds are used well.
On the steps the government will take to tackle medical tourism, Tinubu said: “It is not just about reversing medical tourism, it is not rocket science. It is just a function of identifying the facilities you have based on what is on the ground and making sure there is a match between such facilities, funding and personnel.
“You will witness a lot of innovation, the National Health Insurance Act signed into law by the current administration is part of that,” he said.
He added that his administration will provide the stability the country needs in terms of security, build on the achievements of the current administration in terms of national security and ensure that the entire country is safe.
Also speaking, HTC convener and former Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, Dr Jide Idris, stated that Nigeria is approaching an important political transition, addressing Nigeria’s health challenges requires a social contract based on the relationship between citizens and the state.
He said that the next president of Nigeria should show his commitment to prioritize the achievement of Universal Health Coverage for the most vulnerable population, who also bear the highest burden of disease adding that the APC presidential candidate, in his manifesto, has also made achievements. of UHC main purpose.
The communique issued after the event emphasized the need to change the country’s health delivery system by putting health on the political agenda of the incoming government.
It was agreed that moving forward, members of the health family must be proactive by ensuring that they are involved in policy formation and planning strategies for implementation, monitoring and evaluating results.
From the experiences shared by the speakers, it was agreed that with focused leadership and a clear vision for the health sector, much will be done to improve the health index and reduce inequality. Health in all policies should be our guideline.
It was agreed that the new government should take a holistic approach to address the challenges facing the sector through a health sector reform bill that recognizes all existing health institutions and agencies with the aim of being more efficient in line with current realities.
“The new government must ensure that collaboration at all levels of government is strengthened. It must ensure that governance in health institutions and agencies is carried out as well as ensuring the sanctity of contracts,” said the communique.