Health minister warns Nigeria against reliance on foreign funding for health sector

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, cautioned Nigeria against relying on foreign funding for its health sector, emphasizing that tax reforms and economic growth are crucial to strengthening health financing. Pate argued that the nation needs to enhance its existing tax base to inject funds into the healthcare system.

During a civil society and media engagement in Abuja, Pate stressed the importance of stronger domestic resource mobilization to sustain investments in healthcare. He cautioned that Nigeria can no longer rely on external funding remaining at the same level, given competing global issues such as defense, climate change, and migration.

These pressing matters are compelling wealthier nations to reconsider how they allocate resources to developing countries. Pate's warning stems from calls by Civil Society Organizations for sustainable financing of health sector reforms that lead to measurable outcomes, particularly in underserved populations. Dr. Muhammed Lecky, Chairman of the Health Sector Reform Coalition, representing the Civil Society Organizations, noted that while the Sector-Wide Approach in healthcare is a sound policy, it should transcend merely providing or renovating healthcare facilities, and should focus on delivering functional and high-quality services.

The CSOs urged the government to specifically target rural communities, poor households, conflict-affected populations, displaced persons, and other hard-to-reach groups, noting that national averages may mask significant disparities in healthcare access. They also demanded timely release of appropriated health funds, improved accountability for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, expanded health insurance coverage, and better financial protection for households.