By Idu Jude
The Federal Government of Nigeria has inaugurated the National Health Act (NHAct), with the aim to ensure the full operationalization of the 2014 Act for Nigeria to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
The Minister of Health Dr Osagie Ohanire tasked the Committee which he will be Chairing to ensure that the key issues with which the act was created are however achieved.
According to Ohanire, “the act formed in 2014 as we all know provides the framework for the Regulation, Development, management, and Standards for our National Health system, it also defines our country’s mechanisms for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“It is noteworthy that since it was signed into law, most of the provisions of the Act have not been implemented adequately. Only one of the key provisions – the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) is being implemented to a large extent and this has been a critical game-changer in our country’s health system.
Thus, if the several other provisions are fully operationalized and implemented effectively, it has the potential to significantly propel our Health systems towards Universal Health Coverage”
The Minister said “in the past couple of months, several health bills have emanated from the National Assembly intended to drive UHC, either as an amendment of the NHAct 2014 or independent of the Act. In preparing our response to such health bills and participating in the public hearings as key stakeholders, we have come to realize that a lot of the concerns in those proposed bills are addressed in the NHAct 2014.
It is on this basis that we have renewed our zeal and commitment towards ensuring full implementation of the provisions of the National Health Act”.
Ohanire, continued revealing that it is also important to note that in developing the Act it took a long consultative process that involved all arms of government, Civil Society Groups, Donors, Development Partners, and other relevant stakeholders. For this reason, it is necessary that the efforts towards the full operationalization of the Act are all-inclusive.
“This has informed my decision to constitute this Ministerial Committee and the Technical working group to comprise both government and non-government stakeholders to make for greater engagement and to ensure that we have a formidable team as we work towards ensuring that the NHAct achieves the objectives for which it was intended in the health sector.
“For this to happen, we must be deliberate and strategic and so we have set out specific terms of reference (TOR) for both the Ministerial Committee and the Technical Working group to help us keep a focus on our set target.
The terms of reference TOR for the Ministerial Committee includes the following:
To provide general guidance to the Technical Working Group on critical areas to be studied for the full operationalization of the NHAct, to engage with the legislators on the provisions of the NHAct, to also
Carry out advocacy visits to relevant stakeholders and institutions for the full operationalization of the NHAct.
The committee is to carry out a Biannual review of the status of implementation of the NHAct any other duties that may be directed by the HMH.
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He further indicated that terms of reference TOR, of the Technical Working group, include, to ensure technical review and evaluation of the level of implementation of the NHAct.
Identify critical gaps and weaknesses in implementation to be addressed in the NHAct.
Mapping Stakeholders responsible for the implementation of the NHAct.
Developing a work plan for the full operationalization of the NHAct.
Develop a mechanism for tracking and monitoring the implementation of the NHAct.
Costing activities for the full operationalization of the NHAct reporting to the Ministerial Committee on the progress of activities for full operationalization NHAct.
The TWG will have its secretariat in the Department of Health Planning Research and Statistics.
“While I acknowledge that this task is enormous, I believe that with our collective effort and hard work, we will be able to make the changes that will usher in the health system of our dreams – one in which no one is left behind. Therefore, I charge all of us to put in our best and to be enthusiastic about this national assignment.
Before I end this opening remarks, let me mention that while we were putting this process together and trying to fit a suitable date for this inauguration, Mr. President approved the setting up of a Health Sector Reform Committee headed by the Vice President to commence the development and implementation of a Health Sector Reform programme for the country.
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I am convinced that the work of these Committees and Technical Working Group and the Health Sector Reform Committee Group will be synergistic towards building the resilient health system of our dreams.
While performing the inauguration, the Minister, said the List members of the Ministerial Committee, charged each subcommittee to ensure they put in their best for optimizing the health sector.
“I charge you all for operationalization of the National Health Act and charge you all to put in your best towards the assignment that has been entrusted to you on behalf of the nation”
