Welcome to the 2022 edition of the annual National Health Dialogue, a high-level platform organised by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) in collaboration with PREMIUM TIMES to advance conversations around key health issues in Nigeria and Africa by extension.
The 2022 edition which is themed: โPrimary Health Care Financing; Role of State and Non-state Actorsโ is taking place today (Tuesday) in Abuja, Nigeriaโs capital city.
The event is expected to bring together policy makers and experts to discuss and share experiences on key issues in the primary healthcare subsector, such as financing, and human resources for health and insurance.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, Executive Secretary of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, are among other key figures expected to attend the event.
Others attending include but not limited to health practitioners and advocates, political, religious, and traditional leaders.
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The media will also play key role at the event which aims to address challenges facing healthcare services in the country.
Ahead of the event, PREMIUM TIMES, the co-organiser presented five things participants should expect from the dialogue.
Stay on this page as this newspaper provides live updates of the event scheduled to commence by 9:00 a.m.
09:55 a.m: It is beautiful morning here at the BON ELVIS hotel, Abuja. We are live at the 2022 edition of the National Health Dialogue. Although the event was scheduled to commence by 9:00 a.m., it will be starting late as registration is still on going.
10:05 a.m: All is set for the commencement of the event. The facilitator of todayโs high level event is Moji Makanjuola, a renowned broadcaster who will be assisted by Tope Mustapha, a journalist with Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).
10:06 a.m: Ms Mustapha takes the podium and the event commences with the national anthem. She welcomes every one to todayโs important event which focuses on primary health care financing in Nigeria.
10:07 a.m: The moderator invites the Executive Director of CJID, Tobi Oluwatola, to deliver his welcome address.
10:08 a.m: Mr Oluwatola said todayโs event is coming at a time the countryโs health system is facing a mirage of challenges.
10:09 a.m: He said Nigeria, Africaโs most populous nation, still accounts for high maternal mortality rates, high number of deaths from malaria, cholera and other disease that can be easily prevented.
10:10 a.m: He said the Nigerian government has continued to give insufficient attention to the health sector. He said the budget allocated to the health sector is never enough to address health needs of Nigerians.
10:12 a.m: Mr Oluwatola said until the government starts prioritising health sector, the system will continue to be in bad shape. He said there is a need to examine the value that drives us in getting quality health care.
10:14 a.m: He said the dialogue is a great opportunity to make great decisions that will change the face of health care in Nigeria. โDecisions made here today will go a long face in shaping the future of Nigeriaโs health system,โ he said.
10:16 a.m: Speaking on the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), he said majority of Nigerians still pays out of pockets for health care. He noted that until the gaps in health insurance is addressed, the country still has a long way to go.
10:17 a.m: He explained that the gaps in primary health care prompted the CJID to organise this dialogue and lead the conversation. โWe need more dialogues like this to have an ingenious solution to health care challenges in the country,โ he said.
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