By Franca Ofili, News Agency of Nigeria, Abuja
Dr Bolanle Oyeledun, Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Integrated Health programme (CIHP) said that out-of-pocket payments for healthcare can be devastating.
Oyeledun said in Abuja on Tuesday during
CIHP 5th Scientific Roundtable Series that if affected especially in Nigeria where over 139 million people live below the poverty line.
According to her, a single health crisis can push individuals and families further into poverty, highlighting the need for accessible and affordable healthcare options.
She said that community-based health insurance schemes have shown promise in addressing this issue.
“By decentralising health insurance and making it affordable and accessible to everyone, Nigerians can better protect themselves against health-related financial shocks.
“In many Nigerian communities, people already have local ways of saving money, such as the SUSU system in the southern part of the country.
” Building on these existing systems, community health insurance schemes can educate people on the importance of setting aside a little bit of money each day, week, or month towards healthcare.
“However, for community health insurance schemes to succeed, mechanisms must be put in place to strengthen and support them.
“This includes ensuring that premiums are affordable, and that enough people subscribe to spread the risk and prevent collapse,” she said.
Oyeledun said that the private sector also has a critical role to play in supporting community health insurance schemes.
“By investing in the health of their host communities, companies can not only improve health outcomes but also benefit from tax credits and breaks.
“Philanthropists and non-state actors can also contribute to the growth of community health insurance schemes.
“By changing their mindset and investing in the health of their communities, they can make a significant impact on healthcare access and outcomes,” she said.
According to her, ultimately, addressing out-of-pocket payments in Nigeria requires a collective effort from government, private sector, philanthropists, and individuals.
She said that by working together to strengthen community health insurance schemes, Nigerians can access quality healthcare without fear of financial ruin.
Oyeledun said that the migrant health sector in Nigeria faced significant challenges, particularly when it comes to accessing healthcare services.
“Many migrants, including internal migrants, often find themselves excluded from national health insurance schemes, leaving them vulnerable to high out-of-pocket payments.
“In Nigeria, where poverty rates are high, the impact of out-of-pocket payments can be devastating.
“With over 139 million people living below the poverty line, a single health crisis can push individuals and families further into poverty. This highlights the need for accessible and affordable healthcare options,” she said.
According to her, community-based health insurance schemes have shown promise in addressing this issue.
,”By pooling resources and risks at the community level, these schemes can provide financial protection to vulnerable populations, including migrants.
“Decentralising health insurance in this way can help ensure that everyone, regardless of their location or income level, has access to essential healthcare services.
“However, implementing community-based health insurance schemes requires careful planning and coordination.
governments, healthcare providers, and community organisations must work together to design schemes that are tailored to local needs and contexts.
” This includes identifying and addressing potential barriers to enrollment, such as lack of awareness or mistrust of insurance providers.
”In addition to community-based schemes, there is also a need for policy reforms that address the root causes of out-of-pocket payments.
“This includes increasing government funding for healthcare, improving the quality and availability of public healthcare services, and regulating the private healthcare sector to prevent exploitative practices,” she said.
Also speaking, Dr Kunle Kakanfo, Founder of Artificial Intelligence for Social Impact and Development in Abuja said emphasises the need to leverage digital innovations and artificial intelligence to improve Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Kakanfo highlighted the potential of technologies like AI, telemedicine, and WhatsApp chatbots to increase access to healthcare services, particularly in rural areas.
He said that many global health initiatives struggle with continuity after donor funding ends, and suggested that Nigeria can address this challenge by exploring private sector funding and managing its healthcare system more effectively.
He also emphasised the importance of accountability, transparency, and visibility in healthcare spending.
“One potential solution, Kakamfo suggested, is to use digital technologies to support clinical decision-making, enable early disease detection, and facilitate data-driven policy-making.
”For example, AI-powered tools can help healthcare workers diagnose diseases more accurately, while digital dashboards can provide real-time insights into healthcare spending and service delivery,” he said.
Kakanfo also highlighted the potential of simple technologies like USSD codes and WhatsApp chatbots to increase access to healthcare information and services.
“ These tools can enable patients to access their health profiles, interact with doctors remotely, and even order medications online.
“Additionally, telemedicine technology can help reverse the brain drain of doctors by enabling them to provide remote consultations and diagnoses,” he said.
According to him, the youth population in Nigeria is increasingly tech-savvy and are more likely to engage with digital health services than traditional healthcare facilities.
“By leveraging technologies like WhatsApp and AI, Nigeria can transform its healthcare system and improve health outcomes, particularly among young people.
“Nigeria has a big opportunity to use technology to transform its healthcare system, just as mobile payments have transformed financial inclusion.
“By embracing digital innovations and artificial intelligence, Nigeria can increase access to healthcare services, improve health outcomes, and build a more sustainable healthcare system for the future,” he said
In her speech, Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) Dr Temitope Ilori said that the transition to national ownership of Nigeria’s health programs was timely and essential for the continuity and resilience of the country’s health response.
According to her, building sustainable and resilient systems that deliver equitable health outcomes for all Nigerians is crucial.
“The current government has demonstrated strong leadership and commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s health system through initiatives such as the Renewed Hope Initiative and the creation of the ATM National Technical Working Group.
“One of the key pillars of sustainability is political leadership and commitment.
” The government has made efforts to integrate supply chains and delivery systems, ensuring a more coordinated and impactful service delivery,” she said.
According to her, enabling laws and policies, such as the Presidential Value Chain Initiative, have been put in place to create an enabling environment for local production of pharmaceutical commodities and encourage investment in the health sector.
“The government has signed MOUs with local manufacturing companies to start production of rapid diagnostic test kits and anti-retroviral drugs, and has negotiated with international companies to start local production of their commodities in Nigeria.
“This will improve production and service delivery, making healthcare more affordable for Nigerians.
” The government has also negotiated with the Clinton Initiative for the reduction in the price of the latest innovation, LEN PrEP,” she said.
Ilori said thatNACA was committed to increasing domestic financing through the integration of HIV services into the National Health and State Health Benefit Package.
“Vulnerable groups, including those living with HIV, have been uploaded on the National Health Insurance Scheme, and efforts are being made to close the funding gap and expand local resource mobilization.
“The goal is to strengthen Nigeria’s health security and build a sustainable and resilient health system,” she said.