Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) recently hosted its annual conference, themed “Harnessing Private Sector Solutions for Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria’s Evolving Health Insurance Landscape.” This significant hybrid event took place over two days, with a physical gathering on Tuesday, June 25th, 2024,and a virtual session on Thursday, June 27th, 2024.

Dr. Tayo Aduloju, CEO of Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), emphasized the pivotal role of private sector solutions in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). He highlighted inefficiencies in government budgeting and resource wastage, the need to increase health revenue allocation and a strategic national financing framework. He underscored the need for technology integration, especially blockchain, to enhance the national referral system. Furthermore, Dr. Aduloju advocated for a corporate-led financing approach, strengthened private sector funds, and partnerships with commercial banks and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs). He advocated for a combined approach to health insurance, merging social and private packages, and recognizing the health sector as a critical economic driver. This integration, Dr. Aduloju stressed, would significantly enhance life expectancy and overall health outcomes.

Action Points

1.Equity and Community Engagement

• Implement cross-country learning and local solutions for equitable healthcare access.
• Engage communities and the private sector to democratize healthcare access.
• Enhance public education and awareness about health insurance through advocacy campaigns.

2.Innovation and Technology

• Promote innovative health insurance initiatives through domestic resource mobilization and private partnerships.
• Use technology to improve insurance uptake and awareness.
• Explore innovative financing models and leverage pharmacy stores for health insurance services.

3.Policy Advocacy and Regulatory Frameworks

• Advocate for policies that increase health insurance awareness and acceptance.
• Strengthen regulatory frameworks to enhance health insurance efficiency.
• Address policy gaps to improve funding for health.

4.Private Sector and Financing

• Increase private sector participation in the health insurance ecosystem.
• Develop a corporate-led approach to financing, including partnerships with commercial banks and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs).
• Explore alternate tax sources such as telecommunication funding, seed funds, and diaspora fund taxes.

5.Research, Development, and Academic Partnerships

• Focus on research to improve health insurance designs and policies.
• Partner with academic institutions for data sharing and evidence-based health insurance policies.
• Implement monitoring and evaluation through research and data-driven policies.

Key Takeaways

• Private sector solutions are crucial for achieving UHC in Nigeria.
• Enhancing public education and awareness about health insurance is essential.
• Innovative financing and supply models can significantly improve health insurance uptake.
• Strengthening regulatory frameworks and private sector participation is vital.
• Community engagement and academic partnerships are key to sustainable health insurance policies and achieving UHC.

The PSHAN 2024 annual conference successfully highlighted the pivotal role of the private sector in driving Nigeria towards UHC, emphasizing the need for innovative strategies, effective policies, and robust collaborations.

Day 1 (Leaders Summit)

Panelists

• Modupeola Ogundimu – Director Lagos Zone National Health Insurance Authority
• Dr. Alero Roberts – Associate Professor, College of Medicine, University of Lagos
• Peju Ibekwe – CEO, Sterling One Foundation
• Abimbola Adebakin – Founder/CEO, Advantage Health Africa
• Dr. Ngozi Onyia – Managing Director, Paelon Memorial Hospital
• Dr. Leke Oshunniyi – Managing Director, AIICO Mulitishield HMO
• Iyadunni Olubode – Director of Nigeria Programs, MSD for Mothers

Welcome Address

• Mrs. Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan – Head, Sustainability, Access Corporation

Goodwill Message

• Dr. Jide Idris – DG/CEO, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
• Njide Ndili – Vice President, Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN)
• Dr. Mories Atoki – CEO, African Business Coalition For Health (ABC Health)

Special Guest Address

• Nicole Spieker – CEO, PharmAccess Foundation

Keynote Address

• Dr. Tayo Aduloju – CEO, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG)

Special Guests

• Mr. Jim Ovia (CFR, CON) – Founder & Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc
• Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede (FCIB, CON) – Chairman, Access Holdings
• Prof. Folasade Ogunsola – Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos
• Professor Francis Abayomi Durosinmi-Etti (OFR) – Chairman, Board of Trustees, CancerAware
• Olayinka Subair – Country Manager Nigeria/Cluster Lead West Africa, Pfizer SSA
• Dr. George Uduku – General Manager, West Africa – GE Healthcare
• Mr. Okolie Kenneth – Chief Executive Officer, SYNLAB, Nigeria
• Zakari Momodu – Projects Director, Aliko Dangote Foundation

Day 2 (Virtual Conference)

Panelists

• Mr. Rotimi Olatunji – Head Business Development, Lagos State Health Management Agency
• Vivianne Ihekweazu – Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch
• Dr. Oluwakolade Abayomi – Group Medical Consultant, Dangote Industries Limited
• Kenneth Okolie – MD/CEO, SYNLAB Nigeria
• Dr. Mories Atoki – CEO, African Business Coalition For Health (ABCHealth)
• Dr. Anne Adah-Ogoh – Director, Policy Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria

Welcome Address

• Dr. Tinuola Akinbolagbe – MD/CEO, Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN)

Goodwill Message

• Dr. Ebere Anyachukwu – Health Adviser, UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, British High Commission

Keynote Address

• Dr. Leke Oshunniyi – Chairman, Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN)