WHA 78: Dr. Salako advocates for Domestic Health Financing Reform
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has called for sustainable healthcare investment in a bid to drive Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the country
Speaking at a high-level side event during the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) holding in Geneva, Switzerland, Dr. Salako reaffirmed Nigeria’s committment to strengthening domestic health financing.
At the event titled: “The Future of Domestic Financing”, co-hosted by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with global health development partners, the Minister expressed the present administration’s concern over the current out-of-pocket spending on health in the country, which stands at a staggering 72%.
To reverse this trend, he said, “the government is taking bold steps to implement comprehensive reforms that guarantee sustainable and equitable health financing nationwide”. Key to these reforms is the full implementation of the National Health Act (2014) and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act (2022), which form the foundation of Nigeria’s health financing structure.
Dr. Salako highlighted that under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, a flagship of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, notable improvements are already underway.
The Minister stated that health insurance coverage has increased by approximately 15% in the past two years with all 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, establishing their own state health insurance agencies.
“These agencies are instrumental in expanding access to quality health services for the population, especially the most vulnerable,” he noted.
To further protect low-income citizens, Dr. Salako explained that the government has operationalized the Vulnerable Group Fund and is in the process of establishing a Catastrophic Health Fund to cover high-cost conditions such as cancer and end-stage kidney failure.
To enhance sustainability, the Minister also highlighted new financing mechanisms being introduced to diversify revenue streams for the health sector. These include proposed levies on telecommunications services, sugar-sweetened beverages, tobacco, and alcohol, as well as public health taxes and health impact bonds.
According to him, “the autonomy granted to Nigeria’s 774 local government areas through economic reforms by the President has unlocked new opportunities for primary healthcare funding at the grassroots level.”
“The Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), which draws 1% from the Consolidated Revenue Fund has been reorganized for more transparency and timeliness in disbursement”.
“To ensure efficient resource utilization, Nigeria is adopting a bottom-up budgeting approach, strengthening programme integration, leveraging digital health technologies, and improving tracking of expenditures via the National Health Accounts and resource mapping systems.”
“Nigeria is not only focused on mobilizing more funds but also on spending smarter,” Dr. Salako emphasized.
The event brought together health ministers, policymakers, donors, and technical experts to deliberate on strategies for building resilient and equitable health systems, particularly in Africa and other regions worldwide
