By Tahir Ibrahim Tahir Talban Bauchi.
A journalist, Adeola Fayehun, had the opportunity of interviewing Prof. Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Health Minister at a foreign event recently. It wasn’t a scheduled interview and it was one of those run-into type of avenues where you have the chance of getting real, offhand answers to vital questions which would salivate the viewers’ curiosity and enlighten them with the latest in the health sector. Alas, Adeola was engrossed with repeating the same question for a good 10 minutes, asking whether Mr. President takes any medical treatment locally. The witty minister reminded her that she was just speculating, and in reality she was; as no statement from the Presidency has mentioned any medical visits, from his last two trips abroad. Prof. Pate tried to make her understand that medical tourism is a global phenomenon and people from America and the UK, travel to East Asia and indeed Africa, for medical attention. If she had stayed the proper course, she would have listened to the Ministry’s efforts in reducing the 2 billion dollars that is spent by Nigerians in seeking medical attention abroad. This money is spent in private facilities, not public ones. Late last year, our medical facilities were filled with foreigners who had come to seek cheaper and faster medical attention. It was unprecedented and I was shocked by this revelation.
If Adeola had asked the right questions, her interview would have availed us of the fact that Nigeria has just taken delivery of 846,000 doses of Malaria vaccines. 1 million doses were expected in the country in the first installment. Nigeria accounts for 31% of the global malarial burden, with over 200,000 deaths from malaria in the country. Egypt has just eradicated malaria successfully. They say it was a journey of a hundred years, but with today’s advancements in medicine and technology, Nigeria’s battle with malaria henceforth would be a different story with the arrival of the vaccines. The roll out is expected to cover Kebbi and Bayelsa States which have a high prevalence of malaria.
If Adeola had asked the right questions, we would have heard about the 2.4 million vulnerable Nigerians that have gained access to healthcare through the Vulnerable Groups Fund, a key initiative aimed at improving healthcare outcomes for underserved populations. Over the past year, 4 million additional enrollees had been added to the Vulnerable Groups Fund, ensuring they can now afford healthcare. Anambra is one of the states that is said to have excelled in utilising this facility as other states are playing catch up. This facility will help in addressing maternal healthcare challenges as govt is focusing in treating obstetric-fistulas, a condition caused by complications during childbirth. Govt has signed memoranda of understanding (mous) with Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and fistula repair centres in Ebonyi and Katsina States, to offer accessible and affordable care to affected women.
Through Adeola, we would have been educated on the finalisation of the Executive order on zero vat for pharmaceutical manufacturers. This ensures that the Nigeria Customs Service and the Federal Inland Revenue Service can proceed with the implementation of zero vat and excise duties on pharmaceutical products and medical services. This is a significant milestone as it opens the door to our local pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers to begin fully benefitting from the relief measures outlined by his Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the Executive Order. With this order, a noticeable reduction in the prices of essential pharmaceutical products and medical consumables is expected.
Adeola would have discovered that our public health sector has significantly revitalised and enhanced Primary Healthcare Centres from 8,000 to 17,000 units across the country, to provide affordable healthcare to various communities. The health ministry is also working on the establishment of world class healthcare facilities in every geo-political zone in the country. Oncology centres are to be built in all the geo-political zones in collaboration with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority. The one in Lagos has been commissioned already. Various hospitals and medical facilities across the country are being upgraded and enhanced. Just recently, the general hospital in Misau, Bauchi state, was handed over to the Federal Government as it has been converted into a Federal Medical Centre. The Federal Medical Centre in Azare, Bauchi state is also being upgraded into a teaching hospital. The Institute of Genomics and Global Health has also been commissioned in Osun state. This institute is poised to drive genomics innovation in Africa.
Again, Adeola would have accessed more information on the launch of an initiative to screen 10 million Nigerians on non-communicable diseases, particularly hypertension and diabetes. This initiative is being put together by the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum. It is scheduled to run from October 28th, to the 3rd of November, 2024. These diseases account for 27% of annual deaths in Nigeria. The initiative is to screen 10 million people as a step towards fighting these diseases. The initiative will target underserved communities. There is so much going on and Adeola would have done us a world of good in asking these specific questions on ongoing reforms and milestones reached. Well, the health minister’s doctor is in Abuja and the minister promised to give her his number. If the health minister would visit a doctor in Abuja, I’m sure that doctor would be capable of attending to Adeola’s medical needs as well.
