PPP will promote PHC delivery, achieve UHC — CSOs

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have identified the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model of funding as a key measure to promote Primary Health Care (PHC) delivery and achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

This was said on Thursday in Abuja, at the conclusion of a Strategic Stakeholders’ Engagement aimed at harnessing multi-stakeholder approaches to strengthen PHC delivery and accountability.

The engagement was organised by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria UHC Forum, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and Options Consultancy Services, with the aim of identifying the roles of CSOs in advancing UHC.

Co-Convener of the Nigeria UHC Forum, Dr Gafar Alawode, spoke about the resolutions reached at the engagement.

Alawode said there was now a better understanding of how NPHCDA would work with stakeholders, including alignment around common priorities, financing architecture, monitoring, and accountability to avoid duplication of efforts.

Regional Director of Options Consultancy Services, Dr Ufuoma Omo-Obi, stated that while plans and policies have been created by the Federal Government to achieve UHC by 2030, more needed to be done to accelerate progress.

He emphasised the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement and private sector participation in achieving UHC.

Chairman of National Health Advocates of Nigeria, Dr Ekpedeme Udom,  highlighted the need for implementation of health insurance at state and local government levels, improvement of PHC services and secondary healthcare delivery, and infrastructure development to ensure optimal delivery.

UHC means all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, without financial hardship.