Plastic Surgeon Calls for Urgent Reforms in Nigeria’s Healthcare Financing

Dr. Ayobami Aranmolate, Medical Director and Plastic Surgeon at Grandville Medical Group, has issued a call for extensive reform in Nigeria’s healthcare financing. Citing years of underinvestment, Dr. Aranmolate believes that significant changes are necessary to ensure access to quality healthcare across the country.

“Healthcare financing in Nigeria is at an abysmal level,” Dr. Aranmolate stated. “There is very little attention paid to it, which limits both access to quality care and the growth potential of healthcare facilities.”

According to Dr. Aranmolate, Nigeria’s healthcare relies primarily on government funding and intermediary organizations, like Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), with some citizens forced to cover costs out-of-pocket. This model, he argues, is insufficient, especially as healthcare demand increases. By comparison, he noted, many developed countries like the U.K. and U.S. have diversified financing models, such as the NHS or Medicare, which help balance healthcare costs. However, even these models face challenges, he added, emphasizing that “the need for robust financing is universal.”

A major obstacle to Nigeria’s healthcare development is the lack of private investment due to slow returns in the sector, Dr. Aranmolate observed. He believes that a coordinated approach by the government and private sector is essential for change. “If we really want a change in Nigeria’s healthcare system, both the government and private sector need to be willing to invest,” he stated.

Another issue highlighted is the high cost burden on citizens, many of whom pay for services out-of-pocket. “When healthcare systems create value, there needs to be a willing buyer—the citizens, organizations, or private sectors—who can afford and access these services. But high costs often make healthcare inaccessible,” Dr. Aranmolate explained.

To address these issues, Dr. Aranmolate suggests introducing financial schemes tailored to healthcare. “We need to encourage the government, public sectors, and financial institutions to support healthcare with special interest rates and financing schemes. This will allow healthcare organizations to grow and improve services,” he recommended.

Dr. Aranmolate also pointed out that Nigeria’s investments in sectors like fintech and IT, while beneficial, often overshadow the critical needs of the healthcare sector. “The healthcare sector’s contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and its impact on public health cannot be overlooked,” he added.

Dr. Aranmolate’s remarks come as Nigerian healthcare professionals continue to call for increased funding, citing the urgent need for a sustainable and inclusive financing model to improve healthcare accessibility for millions of Nigerians.