The Federal Government is set to procure essential medicines in bulk to improve access, quality, and affordability in public healthcare facilities, according to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day event, themed “Health on the House of Government,” Pate highlighted plans under the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), launched a year ago to improve healthcare access and reduce financial burdens on Nigerians.

“In the short term, we are pool-procuring essential medicines to ensure their quality and affordability in public health facilities,” Pate said.

“In the medium and long term, we aim to boost local pharmaceutical production to lower costs and ensure availability.”

The minister noted that rising costs of food, transportation, and healthcare services have strained Nigerians’ finances, impacting their ability to access medical care.

To address this, the government is implementing targeted measures to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures.

According to Pate, the government is prioritizing strategies to redistribute healthcare costs from individuals to public systems.

The latest data shows that while the total healthcare expenditure per Nigerian is under $100 annually, individuals shoulder over $70 of this cost.

“We must shift these financial burdens from individuals to government schemes,” he stated.

Pate announced significant progress in mobilizing funds for health.

The government has secured over $3 billion in additional funding through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).

This includes $2.178 billion in external financing to be spent alongside government allocations from 2024 to 2026.“

President Bola Tinubu has increased the health sector allocation, with additional contributions from development partners,” Pate said.

“This will enable more public and external spending, reducing individual costs.”

The administration has also increased health insurance enrollment by 14% as of the third quarter of 2024.

The Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and Vulnerable Group Funds have supported indigent and vulnerable Nigerians by financing health services.

“This year, ₦45.9 billion has been disbursed through direct financing to facilities,” Pate explained.

“State governments are complementing this with equity funds to care for their most vulnerable citizens.”

The government is also addressing specific health challenges, including investments in cancer treatment centers and providing care for women with vesicovaginal fistula.

By October 2024, 879 obstetric fistula repairs had been completed across 19 centers, with a year-end target of 2,500.

“These initiatives restore dignity to affected women and represent the resilient health system we aspire to build,” Pate added.

The government has aligned state-level healthcare priorities through Annual Operational Plans, completed before the budget cycle for the first time.

This ensures that resources are directed towards key health priorities.

Pate emphasized that the administration’s commitment to expanding healthcare access and reducing financial hardship aligns with its broader goal of building a sustainable, inclusive health system.

“The Tinubu administration envisions a health system that serves all Nigerians, regardless of their socio-economic status,” he concluded.