The Federal Government has partnered with the Health Sector Reform Coalition Nigeria (HSRC), a network of civil society organisations (CSOs), to support the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme (NHSRIP).
This collaboration aims to strengthen accountability, transparency, and community engagement in health sector reform, marking a significant milestone in government-CSO efforts to improve healthcare delivery across Nigeria.
Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate announced the partnership on Friday in Abuja during a meeting with HSRC members.
Pate emphasised that health sector reform is a journey that involves contributions from CSOs.
“The ministry is committed to working with HSRC and other partners every step of the way to ensure that reform goals are not only achieved but also sustainable,” he said.
He endorsed HSRC’s proposal to provide technical support to local governments, helping them manage increased funding for primary healthcare (PHC).
“HSRC has been integrated as an accountability partner within the governance framework of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to ensure transparency,” he added.
Chairman of HSRC, Dr. Muhammad Lecky outlined the coalition’s role in the reform process, emphasising the importance of accountability and community involvement.
“Our goal is to ensure transparency in implementing the sector-wide approach (SWAp) and hold stakeholders accountable for their commitment to improving health outcomes,” he explained.
Lecky noted that the coalition would focus on policy advocacy, raising public awareness, and addressing healthcare inequities affecting vulnerable populations.
“As part of our upcoming efforts, HSRC will evaluate the National Health Act (NHAct) as it reaches its 10th anniversary, with a policy dialogue scheduled for early 2025.
“The coalition has invited Prof. Pate to chair the dialogue, which will assess the Act’s impact on primary healthcare and explore ways to improve its implementation,” he said.
He also acknowledged the minister’s initiatives, including the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint for revamping Nigeria’s health sector and an Executive Order on International Health Workforce Migration Policy.
“These measures reflect a holistic approach to tackling Nigeria’s health challenges and we’re pleased to be included as strategic partners,” he noted.
In collaboration with the Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL), HSRC plans to host a policy dialogue on Nigeria’s health security framework.
“This forum will bring together stakeholders to discuss legal and accountability measures, with a focus on mobilising citizen-led advocacy for policy reforms and sustainable health financing,” he said.
Lecky highlighted that this partnership represents a new era of accountability and community-focused reform in Nigeria’s health sector.
“Through HSRC’s technical expertise and grassroots reach, the coalition aims to ensure that health reforms achieve meaningful and lasting impact for Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations,” he concluded.
