Abuja: Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the health sector have said Nigeria’s health reforms must move beyond activities and policies to deliver institutionalised, sustainable gains that improve health outcomes and system resilience nationwide. They made the call under the auspices of the Health Sector Reform Coalition (HSRC) on Monday in Abuja during a CSO and media-led mid-year review of Nigeria’s health-sector reforms.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mrs Moji Makanjuola, Co-convener of the Nigeria Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Forum, emphasized that the true measure of health reform should be whether it is institutionalised, sustained, and translated into better outcomes. She stated, “Importantly, this midterm review should move beyond asking whether reforms are producing activities and any results, to asking whether the system is becoming sufficiently resilient to sustain those gains.”
Makanjuola noted that achieving sustainable reforms required critical attention to leadership and governance, institutional capacity, community ownership, sustainable financing, accountability, and the health system’s ability to absorb shocks effectively. The review highlighted pockets of positive shifts in some health indices but raised concerns over uneven progress, with some states experiencing stagnant or worsening indicators.
The UHC Forum and other non-state actors plan to utilize the 2027 electoral policy window to seek greater political commitment to health-sector development and reforms. Makanjuola mentioned that the forum would review its citizen-led health agenda and develop an action plan for implementation before, during, and after the 2027 general elections across Nigeria. A stakeholders’ workshop is scheduled for October, aiming to foster collaboration and advance reform priorities.
Makanjuola highlighted the media’s crucial role in linking health policies and citizens, urging journalists to focus on evidence-based reporting of reforms, financing, service delivery, equity, and access. She emphasized that universal health coverage requires sustained collaboration, transparency, political commitment, and accountability among governments, development partners, civil society, and citizens nationwide.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), stressed the importance of access to commodities and strong regulatory systems in achieving UHC. Adeyeye revealed that NAFDAC had strengthened its internal systems, staff capacity, and regulatory processes to ensure Nigerians have access to quality, safe, and effective medicines and nutritious foods. The agency has advanced its global regulatory standing by becoming the 24th member of the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use.
Ms Muriel Mafico, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in Nigeria, described Nigeria’s health reforms as among the boldest and most courageous witnessed by the organisation. She stated that the reforms extended beyond Nigeria, serving as an agenda for Africa and the world, as progress in Nigeria translates into broader global health progress. Mafico highlighted the importance of partnerships among government, civil society, development partners, and United Nations agencies in addressing persistent challenges facing Nigeria’s health sector and reform agenda. She assured that United Nations agencies would continue supporting Nigeria’s health reform agenda, emphasizing the shared responsibility of all stakeholders in achieving sustainable improvements in healthcare delivery.