By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
In an attempt to improve better health care outcomes aimed at attaining Universal Health Coverage, health development bank may soon be established in Nigeria to strengthen healthcare services.
The optimism was palpable amongst participants at a one day townhall meeting organized by a CSO, Center for Social Justice (CSJ) a USAID-SCALE project recently held at the De Silver Green Luxury Hotel, Gudu, Abuja.
The participants agreed that just like the Bank of Industry (BOI) and Agricultural Development Bank, the health sector of the country needs such a bank to embark and finance health capital projects through provision of loan facilities to interested organizations and private individuals in order to strengthen healthcare system in the country.
The participants at the stakeholders meeting were drawn from relevant CSOs working in the health sector agreed that CSJ is on right path by proposing and drafting the Bill that will be presented at the National Assembly for passage.
They expressed concern over the state of health in the country at present, stressing that something urgent must be done to salvage the situation considering the fact that health is a social service to the general public.
The participants therefore urged the National Assembly not to hesitate to scrutinise the provisions of the Bill with a view of passing it into law for the benefit of humanity particularly the down trodden who require effective, efficient and timely healthcare services.
The participants also expressed optimism that if finally passed into law by the NASS and assented to by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the health sector will never remain the same again as it will witness massive infrastructural growth and development which will result into effective and efficient healthcare service delivery.
In his brief remarks on behalf of USAID-SCALE, Advisor, Iliya Yohanna said that the advocacy for the establishment of a Health Development Bank is a dedication to seeing that there is improvement in the health sector.
He added the innitiave holds the promise of transferring health financing, innovation and accessibility stressing that by pulling resources together by all the stakeholders, the aim will be achieved.
According to him, the Health Development Bank, when established, will be beneficial to all Nigerians irrespective of social status because the facilities will be upgraded to the best World standard thereby reducing to a negligible position, medical tourism outside the country.
Iliya Yohanna therefore extended support for the establishment of the proposed Health Development Bank in the country urging the CSOs to continue to work together with USAID-SCALE to achieve the set objectives for better health outcomes in Nigeria.
(Some of the pictures used are for illustrative purposes only please)