A health advocate has applauded the government and its collaborators for their initiative in revitalising Nigeria’s healthcare landscape through a groundbreaking Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp).
Chinedu Moghalu, a lawyer and senior special adviser to the minister of health and social welfare on strategic communication, praised the initiative during an interview with journalists on Monday in Abuja. This took place on the sidelines of the inaugural quarterly performance dialogue between the Federal Government, 36 state governments and key health sector stakeholders.
He said that this transformative strategy aims to address long-standing challenges and foster comprehensive improvements across the nation’s health sector. Praised for its holistic vision and collaborative ethos, the SWAp represents a significant leap forward in prioritising the well-being of Nigerian citizens through integrated, sustainable healthcare initiatives.
“Aimed at addressing long-standing challenges and improving health outcomes, this strategic framework underscores a comprehensive strategy endorsed by President Bola Tinubu in December 2023,” he said.
According to him, historically, Nigeria’s health sector has grappled with inefficiencies despite substantial funding. “The introduction of the Health Sector Strategic Blueprint (HSSB) for 2023-2027, in collaboration with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), signals a new era of coordinated efforts. SWAp, championed as a pivotal tool, aims to consolidate health interventions across federal and state levels, alongside donor partners, streamlining efforts under a singular framework,” he explained.
He noted that fragmentation has long hindered Nigeria’s health system, leading to mismanagement and resource wastage. “SWAp seeks to rectify this by harmonizing federal, state and donor initiatives, aligning budgets with national health priorities. This approach, modeled after successful implementations in Ghana and Tanzania, promises enhanced resource allocation and improved service delivery,” he added.
Central to SWAp’s success is its emphasis on governance and accountability. “Through mechanisms like joint annual reviews (JAR) and quarterly performance dialogues (QPD), stakeholders monitor progress transparently. This fosters trust and ensures that health interventions are effective and sustainable, addressing unique state-level challenges through tailored strategies,” he said.
According to him, President Tinubu has prioritised Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as a cornerstone of his administration’s agenda. “SWAp aims to expand primary healthcare services, bolster health insurance coverage and fortify financial protection for vulnerable populations. Drawing lessons from Rwanda’s success, where similar strategies achieved high health insurance coverage, Nigeria aims to replicate these gains nationwide,” he stated.
He emphasised that President Tinubu’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s health sector is underscored by strong leadership and strategic vision. “His administration’s dedication to the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda aligns with the transformative potential of SWAp, ensuring that health remains a top policy priority,” he concluded.
