Giant Leap in Nigeria’s Healthcare Sector Under President Tinubu’s Leadership
In a remarkable display of commitment to improving the nation’s healthcare system, the administration of President Tinubu has achieved significant milestones over the past 23 months.
A slew of innovative initiatives and strategic investments have transformed the sector, enhancing access to quality healthcare services for millions of Nigerians.
One of the notable achievements is the launch of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, which has attracted substantial investments and spurred the development of 74 transformative projects.
This initiative has also led to the establishment of a Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Training Academy in partnership with a renowned international institution.
The National Health Insurance Scheme has also experienced remarkable growth, with over 2 million new enrollments in 2024, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 19.2 million.
Furthermore, the government has introduced a life assurance policy for public officers and military personnel, ensuring that their families are adequately catered for in the event of death.
In a bid to boost primary healthcare delivery, the National Health Fellows Programme was established, engaging young professionals in all 774 local government areas.
This program has not only empowered young professionals but also contributed to the construction of primary healthcare facilities across the country.
The 774 fellows inducted into the program have also been granted automatic employment by the federal government.
The administration has also prioritized the development of health infrastructure, with several projects currently underway across the country.
Recent commissions include a 34-bed male medical ward and a 50-room residential block for interns at the University of Abuja. Additionally, six major cancer infrastructure projects are being expanded, with three scheduled for commissioning soon.
To promote local production of healthcare products and reduce costs, President Tinubu signed an executive order introducing zero tariffs, excise duties, and VAT on specified machinery, equipment, and raw materials.
This move has incentivized local manufacturers, leading to a reduction in the prices of drugs and healthcare products.
Other notable achievements include the release of N32.880 billion under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to enhance healthcare delivery at the grassroots level, the establishment of the Nigeria Digital in Health Initiative to integrate Electronic Medical Record systems, and the construction of pharmaceutical industry-grade warehouses in 22 states.
The administration has also supported the establishment of State Health Insurance Agencies in all states, disbursing over N12 billion to cover 1.7 million individuals.
A significant agreement was also signed with a leading healthcare company to purchase state-of-the-art oncology equipment, marking a major breakthrough in cancer care.
These achievements demonstrate the President Tinubu’s administration commitment to revolutionizing Nigeria’s healthcare sector, and the nation can expect even more significant progress in the years to come.
