Nigeria plans first-ever state of health report

Nigeria is gearing up to launch its first-ever state of health report, a groundbreaking move that comes as part of the country's Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative. In an exclusive interview with CNBC Africa, Nigeria's Coordinating Minister for Health & Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, discussed the strategies and outcomes expected from this new approach. The report, to be unveiled during the Joint Annual Review meeting, aims to assess the progress made in the health sector reforms and address areas for improvement. Pate highlighted the achievements in reducing child mortality, respiratory infections, and increasing the utilization of essential services. However, challenges like affordability of healthcare services and gaps in screening for diseases remain. The Minister emphasized the importance of measuring progress and accountability in meeting citizens' health needs. He also outlined the four pillars of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative: improving governance, enhancing population health outcomes, unlocking the healthcare value chain, and strengthening health security through digital transformation. The annual review will serve as a checkpoint to evaluate the effectiveness of these pillars and guide future health policies. Pate underscored the collaborative efforts between the federal government, states, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to achieve a healthier and more prosperous nation in alignment with the President's agenda. The Minister also discussed ambitious goals to double the number of primary health facilities and retrain frontline health workers to enhance the quality of care. Despite challenges faced by healthcare workers, including recent incidents of kidnapping, Pate assured ongoing support and improvement in working conditions. Additionally, he addressed efforts to attract domestic and international investors to the healthcare sector through incentives for local manufacturing and market shaping initiatives. Nigerian economy in health will mean health becoming a larger contributor to GDP and creation of job opportunities in the sector. The Minister emphasized the importance of making healthcare more affordable and accessible to Nigerians, especially amid rising inflation and weakened purchasing power. He acknowledged the need to expand health insurance coverage and implement interventions to mitigate the impact of increasing healthcare costs on the population. Pate highlighted the government's commitment to strengthening the healthcare system and ensuring the wellbeing of all Nigerians. The Minister expressed optimism for Nigeria's future, where improved health outcomes will lead to a more resilient and prosperous nation.