The need for the establishment of a Health Development Bank in the country has been emphasised if the objectives of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) are to be achieved.
This assertion was made by participants at a one-day town hall meeting organised by a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) and the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), a USAID-SCALE project held at the De Silver Green Luxury Hotel, Gudu, Abuja, on Thursday.
The participants agreed that the health sector of the country needs such a bank to fund health capital projects by providing loan facilities to interested organisations and private individuals, similar to what is being done by the Bank of Industry (BOI) and Agricultural Development Bank.
The participants, drawn from relevant CSOs working in the health sector, resolved that CSJ is on the right path by proposing and drafting the bill that will be presented to the National Assembly for passage.
They expressed concern over the state of health in the country at present, emphasising that urgent action must be taken to salvage the situation, considering the fact that health is a social service for the general public.
The participants therefore urged the National Assembly not to hesitate to scrutinise the provisions of the bill with the aim of passing it into law for the benefit of humanity, particularly the downtrodden who require healthcare service delivery.
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 witness massive infrastructural growth and development, resulting in 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 improvement in the health sector of the country for effective and efficient healthcare service delivery.
He added that the initiative holds the promise of transforming health financing, innovation, and accessibility, emphasising that by pooling resources from all stakeholders, the aim will be achieved.
According to him, the Health Development Bank, when established, will benefit all Nigerians irrespective of social status, as the facilities will be upgraded to the best world standards, thereby significantly reducing 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 working together with USAID-SCALE to achieve the set objectives for the good of all.
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