President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, December 12, rolled out his administration’s plans to make healthcare cheap and easily accessible to all Nigerians.
President Tinubu unpacked his health sector reorganization and liberalization plans while delivering his address at an event commemorating this year’s Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) Day and the unveiling of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
President Tinubu said his administration, through the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, right from the 2024 fiscal year, will commence a massive revamping of the health sector through the resuscitation of physical infrastructure and equipment, as well as retraining of personnel across the sector.
He also said the plan, which will take easily accessible and affordable healthcare to Nigerians, will see the administration introducing policies and strategies that are focused on total restructuring of the sector, working with state governments and other development partners.
Tinubu noted: “Recognizing the importance of primary healthcare as the cornerstone of a resilient, integrated healthcare system, my administration is embarking on a massive effort from 2024 to revamp physical infrastructure, equipment, and retraining of frontline health workers, in collaboration with all the that the 36 states. I say again, thank you for your presence, all the governors here today.
“It’s not a political affiliation matter, it’s a commitment to the welfare of our people, working together as one single entity. Nigeria, with knowledge, people and determination, we will achieve it, we owe our people this, it’s a promise we made; campaigning dancing, ranting, making promises. Here we are. They gave us the mandate, all we pledged, that we will serve them. Now we must deliver.
“Yes, we agree that funding an investment in health is the cornerstone of a resilient, integrated healthcare programme, my administration will continue to work with all of you in equipping and retraining of frontline healthcare workers.
“Critical to my administration’s goal to provide universal health coverage for Nigerians is our commitment to reduce the financial burden in accessing healthcare, we must help our people. We are currently revitalizing the basic healthcare provision fund to better provide access to essential healthcare services under a full implemented National Health Care Act.
“We understand the importance of well trained human resources as valuable in delivering quality care and we are committed to investing in training, retention and welfare of health professionals to ensure a skilled and motivated workforce”, he said.