The Federal Government has underscored the significance of entrepreneurial innovation in addressing Nigeria’s pressing healthcare challenges.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate made this statement on Tuesday in Abuja during a high-level policy dialogue for sustainable health system reforms in Nigeria, themed “Private Sector Support for SWAP (Sector Wide Approach) in Healthcare.”
This dialogue was organised by the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), a coalition of private sector stakeholders advocating solutions to the multifaceted challenges plaguing Nigeria’s healthcare sector. The HFN indicated that the discussions would incorporate international expertise and best practices to support the government’s reform agenda, promising productive exchanges to drive the sector towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and improved health for all Nigerians.
Highlighting the shift towards market-driven solutions, the minister called on entrepreneurs to develop solid business cases that identify specific health problems, propose viable solutions and demonstrate economic feasibility. “Every day, I would say, three, four, five proposals come to my desk. We look at them and we arbitrate,” the minister revealed, emphasising a structured process for evaluating incoming proposals. He differentiated between “a solution looking for a problem” and “a problem looking for a solution,” underscoring the necessity for genuine, marketable ideas.
Also, the minister warned against ventures that rely heavily on government patronage, stressing that such approaches are unsustainable. “What we’re looking for are entrepreneurial ideas where market economics work. There’s demand for it and someone is willing to pay for it,” he said. He advocated for solutions that can thrive independently without continuous government support. To facilitate this entrepreneurial engagement, the ministry has established the Private Investment in the Health Sector (PIVAC) as an entry point for innovative health solutions. He assured potential investors that a dedicated team from both the private and public sectors is ready to support viable proposals and connect them with necessary resources.
The conversation also addressed the challenges of managing emergency medical services (EMS) across Nigeria’s vast rural landscape. “We have probably tens of thousands of settlements and villages. I shudder to think of the day when the Ministry of Health is micromanaging ambulances in all of those places. It’s just impossible,” he noted.
He explained the need for a decentralised approach to healthcare delivery. As the minister outlined the vision for a more resilient health sector, he reiterated the commitment to fostering a collaborative environment where innovative solutions can flourish. “If you have an excellent idea that will solve a real problem, then PIVAC is the entry point,” he said, inviting entrepreneurs to engage with the ministry in advancing Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Chairman of the House Committee on Health Institutions, Hon. Amos Magaji emphasised the crucial role of the private sector in improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria, acknowledging that the government alone cannot drive the system.
“This reinforces the need for strong public-private partnerships in health,” he stated. Magaji highlighted that discussions on creating a conducive environment for private sector involvement align with ongoing legislative efforts.
He stressed the importance of legislative backing to facilitate healthcare reforms and initiatives, including collaboration with the National Health Facility Regulatory Agency.
Magaji expressed optimism about Nigeria’s healthcare system, noting that while the country is not where it should be, progress is being made. He believes the current efforts will yield significant improvements soon. He urged healthcare stakeholders to maintain communication with the legislature to ensure smooth implementation of policies, making it easier to support initiatives through legislative action.
Director of digital transformations for Health Lab, Prof. Ilona Kickbusch called for a comprehensive approach to digital transformation that includes youth involvement, addresses the digital divide, promotes mental health and ensures robust governance to safeguard health and well-being in the digital era. She emphasised that digital technology is not merely a tool for improving healthcare delivery but also a new determinant of health. She argued for a “reimagining” of public health and universal health coverage, particularly concerning the digital divide and its impact on mental health.
Kickbusch highlighted the necessity of involving young people in shaping Nigeria’s digital health system, noting that over half of the Nigerian population is under 19. Mental health, health insurance, and sexual and reproductive health are key priorities for youth and she stressed the need for investment in digital health literacy for young Nigerians. She advocated for a solidarity-based approach to data governance to prevent health-harming digital practices.
She explained the importance of governance mechanisms to ensure that digital health efforts benefit society without undermining well-being, particularly for young people. She encouraged the development of public health guidance related to internet use for children and young people, given serious concerns about the effects of digital technologies on health.
Meanwhile, president of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Dr. Pamela Ajayi stated, “The dialogue will provide a platform for the private sector to engage with policymakers, focusing on advancing digital innovations, supporting governance systems for accountability, and developing funding strategies to accelerate the implementation of the National Health Act.”
Ajayi highlighted that the lack of coordination has led to inefficiencies in resource allocation, duplication of efforts and misaligned priorities that fail to address pressing health challenges. “This is where the sector-wide approach (SWAp) becomes relevant and urgently needed. SWAp offers a transformative shift by bringing all stakeholders—government, donors, NGOs, and the private sector—under a unified policy and planning framework to ensure that development efforts in the health sector are coordinated, aligned with national priorities, and led by the Nigerian government.”
She stressed that the dialogue was driven by the urgency of achieving Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria, with the private sector playing a central role.
“This dialogue seeks to explore how the private sector can contribute to the effective implementation of the SWAp initiative, ultimately improving health outcomes nationwide,” she concluded.
