Abuja:Mrs. Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, has emphasized the need for enhanced health financing and locally driven research to improve Nigeria’s health outcomes. Her comments came during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as the nation celebrated its 66th Independence Anniversary.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Ihekweazu highlighted the persistent poor performance in health indices such as maternal health, childhood survival, and nutrition despite ongoing efforts. She stressed the importance of ensuring better health outcomes for future generations, particularly in terms of nutrition and overall health.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act of 2022, which mandates health insurance, was acknowledged by Ihekweazu as a significant move towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). However, she pointed out that mandatory insurance alone would not guarantee access for many Nigerians who may still find it unaffordable. She advocated for mechanisms like the Vulnerable Group Fund to include all citizens, particularly the vulnerable, in healthcare access.
Ihekweazu emphasized that the ultimate goal should be to enable Nigerians to access quality healthcare without financial hardship and to reduce high levels of maternal and childhood mortality over the next decades. Achieving this requires strengthening health financing and investing in research to identify effective strategies and areas needing improvement.
She noted that research could shed light on crucial aspects of health insurance, such as enrollment and renewal challenges, and help in understanding gaps that could lead to increased coverage. Evidence-based policies are essential, she argued, for effectively improving healthcare.
Ihekweazu also called for greater research sovereignty, suggesting that Nigeria should prioritize funding for research aligned with its national priorities and use the findings to shape policies. She urged development partners to align with Nigeria’s research needs rather than dictating the agenda.
With declining global assistance, Ihekweazu stressed the necessity for Nigeria to reconsider the financing of both healthcare and research. She advocated for strengthening research capacity in tertiary institutions and across the education system to create a robust research ecosystem. This, she believes, would generate the evidence needed to refine policies and expand health insurance coverage, ultimately leading to a healthier and more productive society in Nigeria.