Health
LISDEL urges Swift Passage Of Health Bills To Strengthen NCD Response
By Justina Auta
The Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL) has called on the House of Representatives to expedite concurrence on two health financing bills.
The two bills are to strengthen Nigeria’s response to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and improve access to essential health services.
Mr Ademuyiwa Damilola, Director of Programmes, LISDEL, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the National Convergence on Sustainable Health Financing in Abuja.
Damilola described the convergence as a critical intervention by stakeholders to advance Nigeria’s health financing agenda amid dwindling donor support and growing economic challenges.
He said the reduction in donor funding and limited government resources had made it imperative to expand domestic financing for healthcare, particularly for NCDs, which continued to contribute significantly to mortality and morbidity in the country.
“This national convergence is a very important step being taken by a whole lot of stakeholders to push the narrative around health financing forward in the country.
“This is because of the dwindling donor funding around health and the economic situation where resources are not enough to carry on important social development programmes.
“So this is an important intervention to expand financing for health, particularly for non-communicable diseases,” he said.
Damilola welcomed the Senate’s passage of the two health financing bills and urged the House of Representatives to swiftly complete the legislative process.
“We are glad that the Senate has passed the two bills, and they are currently with the House of Representatives for concurrence.
“Our message is clear. There is a need for the House of Representatives to also show complementarity and commit to quickly pass these bills, ensuring they are transmitted to the Presidency for final assent and implementation into law,” he said.
According to him, expanding the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and leveraging resources from the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) tax will provide sustainable funding for the health sector.
He said the reforms would translate into increased resources for diagnosis, testing, treatment, medicines and other essential health commodities, including services benefiting people living with HIV and those affected by NCDs.
“It means that the government will have enough resources to undertake activities necessary to address the mortality and morbidity that non-communicable diseases are contributing to the health system,” he said.
Damilola added that part of the SSB tax resources would support health promotion activities, including public enlightenment and community sensitisation on preventing and managing NCDs.
He said the increased investment would also improve awareness at the community level, enabling more Nigerians to understand the risks of NCDs, adopt preventive measures and access appropriate healthcare services when needed. (NAN)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
