Public-Private Partnerships Key To Transforming Nigeria’s Health Sector – FG

The federal government said Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) remains a necessary tool to drive innovation and assured sustainable access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians.
Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, said this on Tuesday in Abuja at a high-level policy dialogue focused on sustainable health system reforms in Nigeria.
The dialogue had the theme: “Private Sector Support for SWAP (Sector Wide Approach) in Healthcare.”
The dialogue was organised by the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), a coalition of private sector stakeholder.
It is aimed at addressing the multifaceted challenges plaguing Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Pate said the discussion would incorporate international expertise and best practices to support the government’s reform agenda.
He said that the dialogue would promote productive conversations and collaborations to drive the sector towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and improved health for all Nigerians.
“To achieve the health sector that we desire, public-private partnerships are a no-brainer,” he said.
The minister highlighted the growing recognition of the challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system, including inadequate infrastructure, limited access to essential services, and a shortage of healthcare professionals.
He said that a collaborative approach, harnessing the strengths of both public and private sectors, was essential for effectively addressing these issues.
“Public-private partnerships are not just beneficial; they are necessary for driving innovation and ensuring sustainable access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians,” he said.
He said that successful PPPs could lead to improved health outcomes, reduced costs, and enhanced service delivery.
He highlighted several case studies where PPPs had significantly improved healthcare access and quality.
The minister called on private sector players to actively engage in partnerships with government agencies.
According to him, “Together we can leverage our respective strengths to build a resilient healthcare system that meets the needs of our people.”
He discussed the critical issues surrounding Nigeria’s mixed health system and the integral roles of both the public and private sectors in addressing health challenges.
He shared his background as a public health physician, noting that his experience attending business school underscored the importance of cross-sector knowledge in optimising health outcomes.
Encouraging dialogue, he urged interaction among private sector leaders, health commissioners, and legislative members, reflecting his belief in collective problem-solving.
He raised important questions about the role of public finance in health, asserting that health is both a right and a public good, which justified government investment.
According to Pate, a healthy population is vital for economic growth and human capital development.
Discussing inherent market failures in healthcare, he explained the need for government intervention, particularly for vulnerable populations.
He highlighted the significant disparity in per capita spending on health between Nigeria and countries like the UK, questioning how to navigate this challenge within a mixed health system.
Pate posed critical questions about the private sector’s role in this system, saying that collaboration was essential to bridge gaps in health financing and service delivery.