Nigeria Academy of Medicine tasks presidential candidates on health agenda

The Nigeria Academy of Medicine (NAMed) has tasked presidential candidates in the 2023 general elections to unveil their agenda for the health sector with a comprehensive plan on how they intend to finance it.

NAMed lamented that the country’s health sector has deteriorated, saying with elections in the horizon, it hopes for the emergence of more committed leaders that can revolutionise the health system.

The academy also said the incoming government must give priority attention to health insurance.

President of the academy and the founder of Memfys Hospital for Neurosurgery, Prof. Samuel Ohaegbulam, disclosed this at the 2022 lecture of the association, with the theme, ‘2023 and Beyond- Setting the Agenda’.

He observed that poor funding has been the bane of the health sector, adding that Nigeria has one of the worst health indices in the world.

Ohaegbulam said respected professionals in the health sector have worked over the years, made suggestions, and submitted so many documents to the Presidency and the health ministry on what to do to revamp the system, but nothing has come out of the efforts.

He said: “Funding for the health sector in Nigeria is very outrageous. The kind of budget being announced by federal and state governments is so ridiculous, and the public is not feeling the impact.

“In the hospital I am running, we are negotiating for one equipment, and the bill we were given is almost N1 billion. So, how can you run the health sector with the sort of budget the country announces every year, yet the release of the fund is another question.

“We are hoping that 2023 will bring on board leaders who will appreciate the enormity of the problem in the health sector and tackle it.”

Delivering the lecture, Emeritus Professor, University of Port Harcourt and Chairman, Committee of Pro-chancellors, Nimi Briggs, said 2023, with all it portends as an election year, offers Nigeria a unique opportunity to reset not just the health sector, but also every facet of national life.

He said by signing the National Health Insurance Act, 2022, Nigeria has a unique opportunity to improve its health system.

Briggs said the health system has faltered and has been unable to provide inclusive quality health care expected of it.

He pointed out that the health agenda for 2023 and beyond should be able to boost trust in the health system, especially public health, reduce medical tourism, bring health care to the reach of all, and enhance national pride.