On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu emphasized his administration’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s healthcare sector by making substantial investments and allocating increased funds in the proposed 2024 budget.

He, therefore, appealed to Nigerian health workers practicing abroad to “sacrifice their time to come back home and serve their people.”

During the unveiling of Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu urged countries engaging in the recruitment of Nigerian health workers to take into account the best interests of Nigeria. 

Emphasizing health as a fundamental human right, Tinubu disclosed intentions to initiate a comprehensive overhaul of physical infrastructure, equipment, and the retraining of frontline health workers, set to commence in 2024.

“Nigeria’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Care Coverage is reflected in the unwavering dedication of my administration to uphold this right for every individual, young or old, in rural or urban areas,” the President said.

Tuesday’s event was part of activities marking Universal Health Coverage Day, observed annually on December 12.

It also saw federal, state governments and development partners sign the Health Renewal Compact.

 Tinubu said, “Delivering improved quality health is an underpinning factor in my promise of Renewed Hope to Nigerians. That hope is ignited here today with the support of all multilateral partners and agencies; health is back on the front burner.

“This occasion marks an opportunity for collective reflection and action as we recommit ourselves to the noble pursuit of health for all.”

In addressing the exorbitant expenses associated with healthcare, the President unveiled intentions to overhaul the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, aiming to improve accessibility to essential healthcare services in alignment with the National Health Act (2014). 

Tinubu proudly stated that Nigeria continues to attract top-tier talent in the medical profession, leading his administration to allocate a significant amount for the sector in the 2024 budget currently under consideration by the National Assembly.

“We encourage those Nigerian health professionals in the Diaspora, just like Professor Ali Pate and Tunji Alausa have done, to sacrifice their time to come back home and serve their people. Consider your contributions here at home, as we say, ‘Charity begins at home’.

 “For the developed countries who benefited from amazing talents of Nigerian health workers, we’ll really encourage them to consider how to support the expansion of training facilities in Nigeria to replace those that they have recruited from here. You should also look at the short and long-term opportunities that we offer.

 “Yes, we have a vibrant, well-educated society, but we need Nigeria to rise on one side with climate change and drop the health system to decay. We will rise.”

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, emphasized various pivotal policy measures in the health sector. He clarified that the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) had undergone a redesign, serving as the foundational basis for a comprehensive sector-wide approach.