Nigeria needs risk-sharing fund for primary healthcare investment – Reps

The House of Representatives has urged the creation of a risk-sharing fund to encourage private investment in Nigeria's primary healthcare sector. Dr. Amos Mogaji, Chairman of the House Committee on Health Care Services/Establishments, identified weak revenue certainty and regulatory obstacles as significant barriers to investment.

He called for a PHC investment and risk-sharing facility to clarify investment risks and responsibilities, as well as a national primary healthcare public-private partnership framework outlining government and private-sector roles, responsibilities, and expectations. Dr. Sade Adebanjo, a member of the NESG Health Policy Commission, emphasized primary healthcare's importance as the foundation of Nigeria's healthcare system and highlighted the need for greater policy continuity, institutional coordination, and clarity to attract private-sector investment, expertise, and innovation.

Dr. Ben Nkechika, Managing Director of Almond Healthcare Services Limited, advocated for the private sector's involvement to extend beyond treating private providers as contractors, encompassing advocacy, health sensitisation, community mobilisation, financing, technology, and service delivery. Dr. Nkata Chuku, Deputy Director at the Gates Foundation, stressed government ownership and sustainable domestic financing for expanding public-private partnerships in healthcare.

Dr. Ifunanya Ilodibe, CEO of EHA Clinics, emphasized the importance of sustainable and predictable financing, low insurance coverage, heavy dependence on out-of-pocket payments, and regulatory asymmetry as critical issues in private participation in primary healthcare.