N60b Will Guarantee Nigerians Free Healthcare Annually

The Health Sector Reform Coalition has explained that the 2 per cent consolidated revenue of the federal government which is about N60 billion ($380 million) as provided for in the National Health Bill would provide free primary health care for Nigerians every year.


The coalition, which comprises the Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON), PATHS 2, Save the Children, UK, National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) among others,   was speaking to journalists Tuesday in Abuja against the backdrop that the major setback to the non passage of the National Health Bill was due to the 2 per cent consolidated revenue stipulated in the bill.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the executive secretary, HERFON, Dr Muhammed Lecky, maintained that the N60 billion fund would guarantee provision of free medical care for the most vulnerable, and the establishment of minimum healthcare services package for selected groups such as children below the age of five, pregnant women, adults above the age of 65 and people with disabilities.

He added that the fund would also help to extend primary healthcare to 60 per cent of Nigerians living in hard-to-reach rural communities.

According to Lecky, the passage of the National Health Bill remains a task that must be done for better health for all Nigerians, adding, “It is thus everybody’s business regardless of status, gender and position in life to rise and speak with one loud voice in demanding the passage of the Health Bill”

He added, “We, members of the Health Sector Reform Coalition are calling on the National Assembly to take all necessary steps to pass the National Health Bill and send it to President Goodluck Jonathan for signing into law.”

The HERFON Boss stated that there is no perfect bill as needless lives have been lost, including women, children, the poor and the vulnerable as a result of the non passage of the National Health Bill.

Also, the Advocacy Advisor, Save the Children International, Dr David Olayemi, noted that the National Health Bill is about lives and ensuring that the nation’s health care work efficiently.

He said millions of lives are being endangered because a few professionals are fighting over positions in the bill.

The director, services delivery, Partnership for Transforming Health Systems (PATHS 2), Dr Amina Aminu, stated that the  delay in the passage of the bill is ominous and also speaks of insinuations.