NGO Launches Draft Bill on Proposed Health Development Bank of Nigeria

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has put forward a proposal for the establishment of a Health Development Bank, in a move towards strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.

The announcement was made by the Lead Director of CSJ, Eze Onyekpere, during a workshop on “Innovative and Alternative Funding of the Health Sector” held in Abuja, yesterday.

The current state of healthcare financing in Nigeria has been a cause for concern, with allocations to the health sector averaging a mere five per cent of the federal budget over the last five years (2018-2022).

These allocations encompass capital, recurrent, statutory transfers, and other vital aspects of the health sector, but still fall far short of meeting the sector’s demands.

According to Onyekpere, the CSJ’s proposal for a Health Development Bank seeks to address the financial constraints faced by the health sector.

He noted that: “If implemented, the bank will provide a predictable and sustainable source of funding for critical health projects, ensuring that funds are tied to specific results and milestones in line with national health policies and goals.”

Currently, a significant portion of Nigeria’s health budget is dedicated to recurrent expenditure, leaving minimal room for capital investments in health infrastructure and upgrades.

Onyekpere said “The proposed Health Development Bank would enable targeted investments in areas such as health facilities, medical equipment, digital technology for telemedicine, and improvements in pharmaceutical production, including the manufacture of critical vaccines and pharmaceutical ingredients.”

One of the pressing challenges in the health sector is the lack of access to basic medical equipment in primary healthcare facilities. According to the World Health OrganiSation (WHO), only 41 per cent of such facilities had access to such equipment in 2018.

Additionally, many health facilities suffer from inadequate access to electricity, water, and sanitation, affecting the quality of healthcare services provided.

Onyekpere said: “The bank will be instrumental in improving Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry, which currently heavily relies on imports.

“By providing funds for infrastructure, technology, and human resource development, the bank can stimulate local production of critical pharmaceuticals and vaccines, enhancing the nation’s health security.”

The proposal also emphasised the need to invest in the health workforce to bridge the significant gaps in healthcare personnel.

Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio is far below the desired levels, and the country needs an additional 149,700 doctors to achieve the ideal 1 doctor to 1000 patients ratio.

The Health Development Bank would develop a human resource loan scheme to facilitate the training and development of essential healthcare professionals.

If approved and implemented, the Health Development Bank has the potential to transform Nigeria’s healthcare landscape, increasing access to quality healthcare, generating jobs, improving tax revenue, and enhancing the nation’s GDP contribution.