By Adenike Lawal
The Federal Government has emphasized the urgent need to optimize healthcare governance to minimize fragmentation within government institutions and improve coordination among stakeholders in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. This call was made during a policy dialogue held in Abuja, where experts highlighted the importance of streamlining efforts to ensure more effective healthcare delivery.
Speaking at the event, Muyi Aina, Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), underscored the critical need for improved coordination in healthcare governance to eliminate duplication and inefficiency. Aina, represented by Oritseweyimi Ogbe, Chief Medical Officer at the NPHCDA, emphasized that fragmented governance structures and poor collaboration between stakeholders have hindered sustainable health system reforms in Nigeria.
The policy dialogue, organized by the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), was held under the theme, “Private Sector Support for SWAp (Sector-Wide Approach) in Healthcare.” It brought together key players from both the public and private sectors to discuss ways to enhance healthcare governance and policy implementation through sustainable health reforms.
Aina highlighted the challenges faced in implementing healthcare policies, such as immunization campaigns, maternal and child health initiatives, and improvements in primary healthcare. He stressed that a more integrated approach involving collaboration between government bodies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international development partners, and local communities would lead to more efficient policy execution and better health outcomes.
“The lack of collaboration often results in duplicated efforts and inefficient use of resources, which undermines the sustainability of health initiatives,” Aina stated. He added that for healthcare reforms to be effective, governance structures must be designed not just to implement policies but also to ensure their long-term sustainability by addressing inefficiencies and resource constraints.
The discussion also featured Dr. Ben Nkechika, Managing Director and Consultant on Health at the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), who shed light on the role of local government areas (LGAs) in delivering primary healthcare services. He noted that LGAs are responsible for the overall primary healthcare system rather than individual primary health centers. Dr. Nkechika emphasized that establishing strong systems that guarantee access to quality health services is essential for efficient healthcare delivery.
“Primary healthcare is the foundation of any successful health system, and LGAs must be empowered to fulfill their role in delivering these critical services. Only through strong local governance structures can we ensure that quality care reaches those in need,” Nkechika asserted.
A key takeaway from the dialogue was the growing recognition of the private sector’s role in transforming Nigeria’s healthcare system. Dr. Anne Adah-Ogoh, Head of Policy and Programs at the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), called for a shift in the perception of healthcare from being solely an emotional and humanitarian concern to being recognized as a significant business sector.
“Health should be viewed not only as a social issue but as a critical business sector with the potential to drive economic growth. By treating healthcare as a business, we can unlock resources and innovations that will improve patient care, create jobs, and contribute to GDP growth,” Adah-Ogoh said.
This perspective resonated with many participants, who acknowledged that a robust and well-managed healthcare sector could attract investment and foster innovation. The private sector, through its involvement in healthcare, could also enhance service delivery, drive down costs, and introduce technological advancements that improve patient care.
The event also highlighted the importance of the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), a framework that fosters collaboration between the government, donors, NGOs, and the private sector to align efforts with national healthcare priorities. Pamela Ajayi, President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), expressed her commitment to seeing SWAp implemented effectively across Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“Through SWAp, we can ensure that all stakeholders work together toward common goals, reducing fragmentation and improving resource allocation. The private sector has a key role to play in making this a reality,” Ajayi noted.
She further reiterated the HFN’s dedication to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria. Ajayi highlighted that the ongoing dialogue was designed to explore how the private sector can significantly contribute to the success of the SWAp initiative, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes for millions of Nigerians.
The need for a collaborative approach in addressing Nigeria’s healthcare challenges was echoed by many speakers at the event. Stakeholders emphasized that poor coordination and fragmented governance structures have led to inefficiencies in resource allocation, duplicated efforts, and misaligned priorities that fail to address urgent health needs. SWAp, which promotes coordinated efforts among stakeholders, has the potential to transform Nigeria’s healthcare system for the better.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with public health challenges, such as maternal and child mortality, infectious disease outbreaks, and inadequate infrastructure, the dialogue underscored the importance of private sector involvement in overcoming these hurdles. The participants agreed that without the active engagement of private companies, NGOs, and international partners, efforts to achieve sustainable health reforms would be incomplete.
