By Dara Ajala-Damisa and Kemisola Agbaoye (Lead Writers) For reasons ranging from lack of funds and conflicting needs, to long wait times and convoluted registration processes, the average Nigerian would rather self-medicate or go to the neighbourhood pharmacy or chemist when they feel unwell, than go to a doctor. Very few Nigerians can afford the […]
Editor’s Note: This week’s thought leadership piece comes from Dr Kemi of RelianceHMO, an HMO provider in Nigeria. She works to explain the different types of health insurance plans that are available for Nigerians, and highlights what everyone should take into consideration when choosing a health plan. Despite a consensus with other heads of African […]
The year 2017 rounds up this week, and we at Nigeria Health Watch reflect on what has been a challenging year for the Nigerian health sector. There have been set-backs, but also notable triumphs, and below are prominent themes that dominated the Nigerian health sector in 2017. The critical role of leadership Leadership has always […]
Over the last few months, the NHIS leadership, function, and processes have come under a lot of scrutiny, creating a great deal of public discourse amidst controversy. Much of the controversy had to do with what the NHIS and its stakeholders (including HMOs and service providers) have NOT done to ensure that every Nigerian is […]
Health Ministry launches Doctor’s “stamp” to catch quack physicians. Malnutrition – 10 Million Nigerian Children Risk Mental Deformity in Adulthood. FG called on to establish a National Disease Observatory System (NDOS) to prepare for epidemics emergencies. NHIS crisis taking toll on health service providers, enrollees — Medical Directors. Nigeria, USAID launch medical warehouse facility. LUTH discharges three patients admitted for […]
Senate investigates sale, consumption of 42 banned anti-malaria drugs. Health Minister suspends more NHIS officials. Nigeria launches guidelines on essential drugs for treatment. Family Planning: Nigeria allocates $4m annually for contraceptives. Death toll rises to 17 in Kwara cholera outbreak. Anambra Govt earmarks N200m for pilot health insurance scheme. Delta Govt, Interswitch, sign MoU on health finance management. NPHCDA to unveil new scheme in […]
Last week, the House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services held a 2-day investigative public hearing aimed at achieving three key objectives: To investigate the compliance rate of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) to the NHIS contributions To investigate the utilization of funds by the Healthcare Providers To investigate the claims of inhumane treatment of enrollees […]
Lassa Fever: NCDC confirms cases in 7 states, advices on preparedness by hospitals and healthcare workers. NHIS covers cancer, other tertiary ailments – Prof. Usman. Melinda Gates commends Kaduna Govt on child health, others. Borno Government spends N1bn on hospital equipment destroyed by Boko Haram. FG, UCH to provide free treatment to Oyo residents. Doctors […]
As 2017 dawns, we at Nigeria Health Watch continue our advocacy for the health sector of Nigeria’s dreams with a deep sense of resolve and excitement to build on the momentum that we felt in 2016. We continue to strive to put health not only on the political agenda but also on the social agenda, to […]
Humanitarian emergency directors call for US$1 billion to meet the needs of 6.9 million people in Nigeria’s North East. Reps stop NHIS’s funds release to HMOs. Health minister launches book on cancer statistics. NASS To Ensure Budget Implementation For Health Sector. FG To Sponsor Surgeries Of 10,000 Patients Nationwide. Wike launches N500m hospital loan scheme. […]
Editor’s Note: Dr. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe is Lead Consultant at Health Ethics and Law Consulting, a health law and policy firm, which provides cutting edge legal and policy advisory on the life sciences, health, gender, and other development matters. In this week’s Thought Leadership piece she deftly takes apart the current state of the NHIS and […]
N’Assembly plans bill to exempt NHIS, others from TSA. NHIS scam worse than oil subsidy, says new secretary. Japan Donates $800m to Fight Malaria, TB, in Nigeria, Pledges $30bn Investment in Africa. Dangote spends N4.5bn to tackle malnutrition, others in North-East. LASU medical students protest non-accreditation of programmes. Ogun shuts 3 hospitals over pregnant women’s […]
Last Friday’s news flash that President Muhammadu Buhari had appointed new heads to five public health institutions took the Nigerian health sector by surprise, with social media bursting with what could be likened to a collective shout of excitement. The news came without any political musings or rumblings or rumours in the background. The five […]
This week’s guest blog comes from Robert Yates, an internationally recognized expert on progressive health financing. He works for Chatham House, the international affairs “Think-tank” based in London. He was one of the speakers at the Future of Health Conference held on June 18 in Abuja. Far from being a lame-duck, Barack Obama is having […]