Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the inaugural Health System Emerging Solutions Forum, which had as its theme "Optimizing Resources For Accelerated Progress Towards UHC," Alawode criticized the health ministry for sometimes returning funds to government coffers despite the fact that there are many gaps in health services that require attention.
Even some of the funds expended, he continued, had no traceable worth.
Additionally, he noted that despite years of millions of dollars being invested and spent on health treatments, the results have not been commensurate with the sums of money expended.
Alawode promised data demonstrating that Nigerians were underperforming in comparison to other nations in terms of absenteeism in terms of workforce management and productivity of health personnel.
According to him, the forum provides a space to consider how to use what is powerful to reframe the perception of what is incorrect.
There are numerous examples of successful initiatives to realign the health system across the nation, from Gombe State, where digital technology has decreased the number of ghost workers, to Yobe State, where health indicators have greatly improved.
"Also, in Delta State, where the political leadership's responsiveness has given health insurance coverage to nearly 1.5 million residents, and in Nasarawa State, where Equity Fund and fruitful community engagement have expanded access of the poor to quality health care," he said.
He therefore announced that DGI Consult is launching an online knowledge management platform called the Emerging Solution Repository in an effort to continue the dialog after the initial engagement.
Information on innovative and promising activities and developments in the health system will be continuously gathered, processed, and distributed through this platform.
"We strongly urge all of you to let us know about the fantastic work you are doing to add them to the Emerging Solutions Repository," he said.
Dr. Mohammed Lawan Gana, the Yobe State Commissioner of Health and Human Services, said during his speech that the conference primarily looks at all of the creative ideas that have been put into practice at all levels, both locally and globally, as well as the advancements that have been documented.
According to him, the topic of the event is "Looking For Ways To Optimize Resources," which is quite appropriate given that resources are becoming more and more scarce.Even though there is a lot of work put into mobilizing resources for the system despite our weak economy, outcomes will not be achieved if these resources are not used effectively or invested efficiently.
"Primary healthcare is the gateway to Universal Health Coverage; without it, there would undoubtedly be no universal health care as it is the closest medical facility to the bulk of the population, who reside in rural areas.
Primary healthcare has been prioritized nationally as the cornerstone of the healthcare system. When you consider the national health care act, national health policies, and the new administration, you see how the president carefully chose the minister of state for health and the minister of coordination for health; what they have done and are currently doing is a paradigm shift toward ensuring the system functions.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, which mandates health insurance and establishes a Vulnerable Group Fund, makes the theme of the event—optimizing resources for accelerated progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC)—very significant and appropriate, according to Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, Director General of the NHIA.
"It's a great effort to address the lack of venues that highlight successful interventions—that is, what works—and how to use them in our situation while also taking into account the constraints of the resources at hand.
