Abuja:Nigeria has launched the Nigeria Health Financing Observatory to consolidate health financing data and boost research, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the observatory was inaugurated by Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), during the inaugural Nigeria Health Financing Research and Learning Forum. The event, which started on Monday, focuses on the theme ‘Evidence and Learning for Nigeria’s Health Financing Future Building a Locally Led Research and Learning Ecosystem.’
Dr. Ohiri stated that the observatory aims to address fragmented health financing data and transform it into actionable insights. He noted that while Nigeria has increased healthcare funding, it still lags behind other countries in health spending per capita and as a percentage of GDP. The observatory will offer more detailed data, including sub-national levels, serving as a public resource for researchers and stakeholders.
The platform will document what works, what doesn’t, and the outputs of research, urging federal and state institutions to provide reliable financial data. Researchers and academics are also encouraged to contribute their expertise.
Dr. Yewande Ogundeji from the Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation (HSDF) explained that the observatory would track domestic and external financing, with validated indicators available initially and more introduced in later phases.
Dr. Kumanan Rasanathan from the World Health Organisation emphasized that the observatory’s impact relies on data quality and usage. He highlighted its potential in achieving universal health coverage and stressed its distinctively Nigerian origins.
Vivienne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, praised the NHIA for funding research to address its strategic priorities, emphasizing equity, access, and coverage. The forum aims to identify gaps in research and learning related to these priorities.