The Federal Government of Nigeria is reassessing its health financing efforts as many citizens continue to face high out-of-pocket medical expenses. Despite releasing N235bn through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund over three years, the government aims to ensure that growing health investments yield measurable results. This move is part of a broader health reform programme focused on expanding access to healthcare and strengthening financial protection.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) disclosed this information ahead of the inaugural Nigeria Health Financing Research & Learning Forum. The forum, set to begin on September 28, will bring together policymakers, researchers, and health financing experts to discuss effective deployment of limited resources. The NHIA stated that health insurance enrolment has risen to over 23 million, but out-of-pocket expenditure remains high, leaving many families exposed to heavy medical bills.
The two-day forum will examine how to strengthen the use of evidence in deciding which treatments and services should receive funding. It will also focus on payment methods for healthcare providers and optimal resource allocation. The initiative is a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, NHIA, and other stakeholders. The meeting aims to ensure that health expenditure translates into better services, wider access to effective treatment, and improved patient outcomes.
The forum's theme, “Evidence and Learning for Nigeria’s Health Financing Future: Building a Locally Led Research and Learning Ecosystem,” reflects its focus on translating research and health data into practical financing decisions. Experts from Nigeria and other countries, including Dr. Kelechi Ohiri and Prof. John Ataguba, are expected to attend. The NHIA has already conducted Health Technology Assessments on kidney replacement therapy, colorectal cancer screening, and treatment for advanced liver cancer.
One of the key areas of focus is Health Technology Assessment, used to determine whether medicines and treatments provide sufficient benefits to justify their costs. The assessments conducted so far aim to inform financing decisions and improve patient care. The forum will identify gaps in available evidence and strengthen the connection between research, financing decisions, and measurable improvements in patient care.
The Federal Government’s broader health reform programme, coordinated by Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, aims to expand access to healthcare, strengthen financial protection, and improve patient outcomes. The programme seeks to secure better value from health investments, ensuring that increased spending produces tangible improvements in healthcare delivery and provides greater financial protection for Nigerians.
The overall objective of the forum is to strengthen the use of evidence in health financing decisions. By bringing together experts and stakeholders, the government hopes to ensure that health investments deliver measurable results and improve healthcare delivery. The NHIA and other stakeholders will work together to achieve this goal, ultimately aiming to reduce the financial burden on Nigerian households.
Key points
- The Federal Government has released N235bn through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund over three years.
- Health insurance enrolment has risen to over 23 million, but out-of-pocket expenditure remains high.
- The Nigeria Health Financing Research & Learning Forum aims to strengthen the use of evidence in health financing decisions.
