The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, states that the Nigerian Senate is committed to enacting and strengthening enabling laws that support the country’s progress towards achieving universal health coverage.
In a statement issued by Senator Banigo on Tuesday, September 9, following the National Health Financing Dialogue, themed Reimagining the Future of Health Financing in Nigeria. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving stewardship and accountability for universal health coverage.
Senator Banigo said the Nigerian Senate will support lawful measures aimed at mobilising and sustaining human, financial, and material resources for health through public systems, as well as partnerships with the private sector and development organisations.
She noted that the legislators are committed to promoting accountability by ensuring an effective public financial management system in the health sector, and to drive a learning agenda that strengthens legislation, appropriation, and oversight functions across health committees at both the national and sub-national levels.
The National Health Financing Dialogue brings together senior government officials, policymakers, development partners, civil society, academia, and the private sector to deliberate on innovative and sustainable approaches to healthcare financing that will guarantee equitable access to quality health services for all Nigerians.
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In February 2019, at the African Leadership Meeting (ALM) during the 32nd Ordinary Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, member states, including Nigeria, made a landmark pledge to increase domestic financing for health.
The resulting ALM Declaration reaffirmed continental commitment to stronger, more resilient, and self-reliant health systems.
Riding on the above declaration, the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, emphasised that Nigeria’s next chapter in healthcare reform will be anchored on ongoing investments and national strategic reforms.
