The World Health Organization has called on the Nigerian government to allocate more public expenditure toward healthcare, so as to achieve a benchmark investment of US$6 per capita.
The WHO Country Representative for Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi, said this on Wednesday in Abuja, at a strategic legislative health retreat, where he emphasised the pivotal role of legislators in appropriating funds, passing bills, and ensuring their effective implementation.
He stressed the importance of leveraging unique functions to improve health outcomes and alleviate poverty.
Dr. Kazadi, however, urged legislators to utilise their positions to establish health as a fundamental right for all Nigerians, reinforce government responsibility and mutual accountability.
He also encouraged the documentation of best practices to serve as a reference point for other African countries.
While congratulating the incoming members of the 10th assembly, he emphasised the immense responsibility they carry as the people’s voice.
He highlighted the urgent need to focus on the health sector to achieve universal health coverage and address the issue of insecurity in the country.
Dr. Kazadi, stressed that healthcare should be elevated in the constitution and implemented as a commitment by authorities and legislatures.
Drawing from the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, he urged legislators to consider health as a fundamental right, ensuring that all Nigerians have access to basic healthcare that they need without facing financial hardships.
He shared evidence demonstrating that countries achieving universal health coverage through public financing have made significant progress.
Dr. Kazadi expressed WHO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in repositioning its healthcare system.
He outlined the alignment of the commitment with global frameworks, and made reference to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and the upcoming high-level meetings in New York.
He called for collective action to combat tuberculosis, non-communicable diseases, and other emerging health challenges.
Furthermore, Dr. Kazadi, invited legislators to contribute to WHO’s country cooperation strategy and emphasised that their role is crucial in accelerating health to achieve the SDG goals.
He, however, commended the leadership of the 9th National Assembly and urged legislators to make some more achievements in the health sector.
The WHO official expressed his enthusiasm to collaborate with the incoming National Assembly and assured them of WHO’s continued support.
The head of the Association for Reproductive and Family Health, Professor Oladapo Ladipo, said that the new administration needed to prioritise health and health financing generally in the country.
He said that the 10th National Assembly needs to mainstream health in the country, noting that health is wealth and education.
“Health should be number two on the priority list of the government and treated as a basic human right for all Nigerians to have access,” he said.
The professor urged the new legislators to ensure the implementation of laws passed by the 9th assembly, noting that there was a need to change the critical innovating financing for health in the country.
According to him, tax for the health sector was recommended, just like tax for aeroplane.
He, however, said there is a need for a mechanism to monitor the use of these funds and recommended that health should be on the exclusive list of the new administration.
“Free contraceptive services should be made available,” he added.
(NAN)
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