A Non-Governmental Organization called Women in Global Health, Nigeria, (WGH) has appealed to the Kwara State government to implement policies that will make basic healthcare accessible and affordable to everyone and check out of pocket expenses.
The Project Officer, of the NGO, Dr Sienne Orogun, made the appeal at a conference titled “Using Local Strategies and Structures to Boost Universal Health Coverage,” held on Tuesday in Ilorin.
The appeal which aims to ensure that all citizens, especially women, have access to essential healthcare services, want the state government to push for the women in the area of the Universal Health Coverage, UHC
Orogun highlighted that policies were already in place to make health insurance more affordable for vulnerable groups.
Orogun expressed confidence in Nigeria’s commitment to achieving UHC, describing it as the best way citizens would access quality healthcare without experiencing financial hardship.
In her keynote address, Commissioner for Health in Kwara State, Dr Amina El-Imam, emphasised the importance of simplifying the registration process to boost enrolment numbers.
She noted that the state government was making significant progress towards allocating 15 per cent of its budget to the health sector, as well as focusing on capacity building and the retention of skilled healthcare professionals.
El-Imam assured the audience that Kwara was on track to achieving UHC, with local strategies already yielding positive outcomes.
She reiterated that UHC was a key strategy to strengthen the healthcare system and promote sustainable development, with the state adopting homegrown solutions to address specific challenges in the healthcare sector.
While acknowledging the progress made, she also highlighted challenges such as funding constraints and shortages of healthcare workers.
She urged continued collaboration and innovation to overcome these obstacles and ensure equitable healthcare access for all.(NAN)
