USAID, FCMB partner on private health sector financing in Nigeria

The World Health Organisation (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the African Field Epidemiology Network, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), CARTA and others have collaborated with the Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan (UI) to organise the third Ibadan Public Health Conference (IPHC) aimed at imperial healthcare in Nigeria.

Public health stakeholders in Nigeria, who spoke at the five-day conference, with the theme: “One Earth, One Life, One Health,” stressed the need to improve the collective health of people, animals, plants, and the environment in the country.

They also agreed that adopting health as a policy and as a way of life would ensure the sustainability of all forms of life, the food chain, and the environment in Nigeria.

Vice Chancellor of UI, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, who was represented by the Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Prof. Oyeronke Odunola, noted that the theme of the conference was a global yet locally relevant critical issue that should inspire collective action towards a healthier and more sustainable future for all.

Also, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the conference, Prof. Elizabeth Oloruntoba, said that the essence of the conference underscores a universal truth.

Dean of the Faculty of Public Health of UI, Prof. Godson Ana, in his address, lamented that conflicts, ethnic struggles, and wars, among others, are polarising the earth, causing settlement displacement, environmental pollution, climate change, and diseases.

MEANWHILE, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and First City Monument Bank (FCMB) have signed an agreement to launch a $10 million credit facility aimed at increasing financial access for healthcare businesses and transforming the health sector in Nigeria.

USAID Mission Director, Melissa Jones, who disclosed this at a ceremony held at the FCMB Headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, affirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to strengthen Nigeria’s health sector and private sector resilience with a new partnership agreement.

She said that under the terms of the agreement, USAID and the DFC would collaborate with FCMB to facilitate $10 million in loans.

The new partnership, according to her, will assist FCMB to expand access to finance for underserved borrowers, women and youths, the health sector, and small and medium-sized enterprises throughout Nigeria.

“As demonstrated by this partnership, the United States government is eager to continue collaborating with the financial sector to improve access to credit for underserved borrowers, especially women and youths, and thereby stimulate economic growth,” said USAID Mission Director Melissa Jones.

“In addition to this health loan portfolio, we are committed to working with FCMB to disburse loans to the agriculture and renewable energy sectors through our existing partnerships,” she said.

Also, FCMB Managing Director, Yemisi Edun, said: “I commend the DFC for its commitment to improving local access to quality healthcare. This partnership will help close the gap in healthcare financing. This means more Nigerians will have access to better healthcare facilities. First City Monument Bank welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with healthcare providers and small & medium enterprises nationwide to build a healthier and more productive future for our nation.”

The partnership is intended to boost loans in the healthcare sector, loans to MSMEs and loans to the underserved populations.