High import dependency major challenge in Nigeria’s health sector, says Ali Pate
Kunle Sanni
Health Minister, Mr. Ali Pate said the major challenge impending the Nigeria health sector has remained the dependency of import products such as pharmaceutical items and high capital costs and restrictive market regulations.
Pate who said this Tuesday in a post on X (formerly Twitter), revealed accounts of an event he attended tagged “unlocking Nigeria’s healthcare value chain through partnerships.
He noted that the current administration of President Bola Tinubu involves a robust healthcare system where public and private sectors collaboratively deliver high-quality services and products.
He said, “Our vision for Nigeria involves a robust healthcare system where public and private sectors collaboratively deliver high-quality services and products. These efforts not only save lives and protect our population but also create quality, well-paying jobs that offer growth opportunities.
He added that in line with President Tinubu’s vision and promise to unlock healthcare value chains, the administration aims to transform the health insurance landscape, potentially increasing coverage from 17 million to, over time, more tens of millions of Nigerians, which would dramatically change the demand dynamics for healthcare services.
He said, “We are also proud to share that significant investments are being made to expand our capacity in essential pharmaceutical and biological products.
Read his full post below
We recognize health as foundational to economic development and human capital accumulation, essential for driving inclusive economic growth. Our vision for Nigeria involves a robust healthcare system where public and private sectors collaboratively deliver high-quality services and products. These efforts not only save lives and protect our population but also create quality, well-paying jobs that offer growth opportunities.
Today, I had the privilege to engage with esteemed leaders, partners, and stakeholders from the public and private sectors, discussing a shared goal: unlocking Nigeria’s healthcare value chain through partnerships. The goal was provide invaluable insights into the ways Nigeria can transform its healthcare system, improve health outcomes, and drive inclusive economic growth through accelerating equitable access to quality-assured health products.
Nigeria’s health sector faces challenges such as high import dependency, limited local manufacturing, and financial barriers, including high capital costs and restrictive market regulations. In line with President Tinubu’s @officialABAT promise to unlock the healthcare value chains, we are actively addressing these issues through policy reforms, regulatory improvements, and expanded access to capital.
Our endeavors extend to strengthening the entire medical industry, from enhancing efficient and effective pharmaceutical regulation to increasing local production and improving access to healthcare financing. We aim to transform the health insurance landscape, potentially increasing coverage from 17 million to, over time, more tens of millions of Nigerians, which would dramatically change the demand dynamics for healthcare services.
We are also proud to share that significant investments are being made to expand our capacity in essential pharmaceutical and biological products.
I extend my gratitude to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Lagos State @jidesanwoolu, esteemed federal government leaders, and representatives from the @IFC_org, @AfDB_Group, @UNITAID , @afreximbank ,and other notable organizations—many of whom are long-standing colleagues—for their impressive attendance. I especially salute Dr. @Dr_AbduMukhtar, Coordinator of the @PVAC_NG, and his team for their tireless work on this initiative and for organizing this forum.
Nigeria is ready to embrace a vibrant and prosperous future, where the healthcare sector plays a pivotal role in growth and development. We invite local and international partners to invest in this sector. Through collaboration, we will build a healthcare system that ensures access to quality care while also generating significant economic value.
