FG to work more on health sector reform – Minister

The Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, on Monday, disclosed that the health sector reform has recorded a significant improvement by increasing the mortality rate in spite of the challenges facing the country.

Adewole, who spoke in Abeokuta at the launching of the Ogun State Community Health Insurance Scheme, said the reform had also improved the health indices of the country as well as assisting in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Minister said the establishment of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was a major highpoint and output of the reform policy, saying it was a mandate to work towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the country.

The minister, who was represented at the event by the Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Femi Akingbade also disclosed that the health system had suffered setbacks in recent years due to some factors that had prevented the system from performing efficiently and effectively.

The factors, according to Adewole, included budget constraints, inequitable distribution of health care resources at all levels, inequities in healthcare access and high poverty levels in the country.

“I am glad to inform you that our health system outcome as shown by the health indices are also beginning to show some improvements due to the reforms”.

He opined further “Infant mortality rate has reduced from 100 per 1000 live births in 2003 to 69 per 100 live births in 2013. Under five mortality rate has shown a persistent decline from 201 per 1000 live births in 2003 to 128 per 1000 live births in 2013. We have also witnessed a significant reduction in maternal mortality, from 800 per 100,000 live births in 2003 to 576 per 100,000 live births in 2013. Our life expectancy has also increased from 46.5 years in 2008 to 54.4 years in 2013.

“All these improvements attest to the commitment and enormous investments made by the government towards addressing the health system outcomes.

“In line with the reforms, the National Health Insurance Scheme has been strengthened to be able to deliver on its mandate, which is to ensure that all Nigeria irrespective of socio economic status have access to qualitative and affordable healthcare when the need arises.”

The State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, after presenting the registration cards to some beneficiaries appealed to the Federal Government to pay more attention to the primary healthcare delivery, saying that the majority of Nigerians are the people at the grassroots.

He said the scheme was a financial protection and quality health access of the citizens to free healthcare.

Amosun added that his government was committed to his electioneering promises to provide affordable and efficient health care delivery to all the citizens, saying the government had put in place machinery to sustain the scheme.