International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue VI, June 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

The National Health Financing Policy and Access to Healthcare in Nigeria

Dachi I. Arikpo ¹,²*, Peter S. Ubi1, Agnes S. Antai^3
1,³Department of Economics, University of Calabar, Calabar-Nigeria
²Institute of Tropical Diseases Research and Prevention, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, University of Calabar
*Corresponding Author

Abstract: This paper examines the impact of Nigeria’s National Health Financing Policy since its inception in 2006 on access to healthcare. Access to healthcare is at the core of attaining Universal Health Coverage. We analysed the Policy’s provisions against five thematic areas and presented the situation analyses of each of these areas. The analyses reveal that although Nigeria experienced an improvement in some health indicators, these improvements are on the decline in the post-Millenuium Development Era. In addition, the challenges which the policy sought to address viz establishing sustained funding for healthcare, reducing catastrophic out-of-pocket expenditures on healthcare, inadequate coverage of social insurance, and poor coordination of donor activities persist 15 years after the Policy. The persistence of these challenges often leads to the inability to access healthcare when needed and impoverishment from obtaining healthcare, thereby worsening health inequities. We, therefore, advocate for the strengthening of existing governance and health systems on which the health financing policy can thrive. It is also essential to explore other avenues for mobilising and pooling funds to finance healthcare to supplement the budgetary allocations by the government. There is also the need to overhaul the National Health Insurance Scheme, which has yielded minimal gains in improving access to care. Finally, we suggest a review of 15 years-old Policy to take into account the new realities of healthcare financing, especially in terms of containing public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: Health financing, health policy, access to healthcare, universal healthcare, out-of-pocket expenditures

1.INTRODUCTION

The National Health Financing Policy launched in the year 2006 by the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria was said to represent the unanimous will of the government to provide a fair and sustainable health financing system for the development of the health sector. The Policy describes the goals, structure and policy directions of health financing in Nigeria (FMOH, 2006). In addition, it aimed to provide a framework for health financing and regulatory functions, procedures for revenue generation, risk pooling mechanisms, management of risks, resource allocation and purchasing.