Universal Health Coverage: Chatham House Pledges to Support Nigeria
Chatham House has expressed its readiness to support and work with the Nigerian government to attain the much-desired Universal Health Coverage to enable citizens access healthcare without financial hardship.
Rob Yates, executive director, Centre for Universal Health, Chatham House, who pledged the support, also urged government to invest funds from the fuel subsidy policy in providing free health services for citizens, so as to cushion the financial burden endured as a result of increased fuel price.
“It is important that every household in the county sees some benefits very quickly from this policy, and providing universal free health services is one of the proven ways to do this, a very smart strategy indeed. Chatham House will be delighted to work with you through this process. Our commission is on standby to help achieve the noble cause of universal health coverage in Nigeria,” he said.
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He spoke at a policy dialogue hosted by the UHC 2023 forum with the theme: ‘Setting UHC and Health Security Priorities in the New Dispensation: Getting it Right from the Outset.’
Yates noted that Nigeria has a tremendous opportunity as President Bola Tinubu has made his commitment to UHC. He stressed that political will was the first step to achieving universal health coverage, and without which Nigeria cannot get the financing that is necessary to launch universal health reforms.
Basically, experts noted that the attainment of UHC would ensure all Nigerians access needed quality health services without financial hardship, as data from the world bank show that out-of-pocket expenditure health is at 70 percent.
The policy dialogue examines Nigeria’s health policy priorities in the light of the Presidential Committee on Health Reform’s-recommendations and the citizens-led health agenda and chart a course of action. The Forum is a coalition of a wide array of stakeholders, including donor agencies, development partners, Civil Society Organisations and the Media.
