A Veteran health advocate, Mrs Moji Makanjuola, has described the recent Federal Government’s approval of $1.07 billion for healthcare reforms as a timely intervention but warn that without proper execution and accountability, the impact could be minimal and short-lived.
Makanjuola said the funding is a game-changer, an exciting moment for healthcare in Nigeria, especially considering our poor health indices.
According to her, “the announcement of these relief funds is a welcome development, but my fear is that it must not be a one-time effort.
“We need continuity until we stabilize in terms of human resources, health financing for the vulnerable, and reduction in maternal and neonatal deaths,” she stated.
Makanjuola identified several pressing areas where the funds should be directed, including human resource development in response to Nigeria’s severe brain drain of healthcare professionals due to poor remuneration and working conditions.
She suggested the need to improve salaries, training, and retention programmes for healthcare professionals.
She informed, a large part of the fund should go to improvement, development, and expansion of medical facilities, noting that many hospitals lack modern facilities, making tertiary and emergency care inaccessible.
In addition, she warned against dependence on imported pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, suggesting local production, which, she said, is vital to ensuring long-term sustainability in healthcare delivery.
While stressing the need for proper monitoring of the funds to ensure they are directed toward impactful projects, she said: “The funds must be tracked and seen to mitigate the critical gaps we have in our health sector.
“This should not just be about policies but about actual implementation that works for Nigerians at all levels, especially in state general hospitals.”
She also highlighted the importance of private sector collaboration and state-level participation, ensuring that the improvements reach every part of the country and are not limited to urban areas.
Makanjuola called for Nigeria to position itself as a medical hub for the Black race, urging that healthcare development must align with global best practices.
“We must ensure that this funding restores world-class standards in the practice of medicine in Nigeria,” she said.
Equity, accountability, and strategic implementation, she added, must guide the process to ensure that all Nigerians regardless of class, age, or gender benefitted from the investment.
