‘Access to funds, major challenge in Nigeria’s healthcare system’
AS part of the efforts to boost quality healthcare delivery in the country, the Chairperson of Hygeia Nigeria Limited, Fola Laoye, has reiterated that poor funding poses a major challenge to the healthcare sector.
Laoye, who said this during the signing of the investment of $66.8 million into Hygeia Nigeria Limited, by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Investment Fund for Health in Africa II (IFHA II), Swiss Re and Ciel Healthcare Limited, said that adequate fund was important to close the gap and expand access to quality healthcare delivery in the country.
She said that through the project, Hygeia would have the capacity to reach more than two million patients over the seven–year investment period.
The Hygeia boss disclosed to journalist that one of the major key thing that will come out of the investment is the building of a tertiary hospital in Lagos, which intends to reduce the level of medical tourism in the country.
She continues: “By really investing again in more specialties, Nigerians would not have to go overseas to spend their dollars to get this tertiary service, which is why we are trying to create them locally.”
She explained: “This new investment aims to improve healthcare infrastructures, like building more clinics closer to the people, equip them as well as staff them.”
Asked about the affordability of these services, she stressed; side by side with their Health Maintenance Organization, (HMO) / Health Insurance, more Nigerians are sure to have more services at affordable prices.
“We will be able to expand the health insurance package to even more population than we have covered today, and through the product, we can give the services,” she added.
Also speaking at the signing was Country Manager, Nigeria, IFC, Mrs. Eme Essien, who expressed regrets saying, “The reality is that the health sector in Nigeria is very fragmented, and the health spending, very low.”
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