Experts call for increased role of private sector in healthcare provision

Top healthcare experts in Nigeria are calling for a greater role for the private sector in delivering universal health coverage (UHC), given that it already provides more than 60 per cent of healthcare services in the country.

They believe that increasing private sector involvement in healthcare service delivery can result in more affordable and high-quality healthcare options for Nigerians, thereby meeting a critical need in the country’s healthcare system.

According to them, countries that have engaged the private sector in healthcare delivery have been able to unleash the innovative potential of such a sector, thereby increasing transparency and accountability, which translates into the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery services.

In his opening speech at the 2024 Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria conference, Tayo Aduloju, CEO of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), said 90 per cent of the necessary universal health coverage interventions could be delivered through primary health care centres, potentially saving 60 million lives and extending global life expectancy by 3.7 years by 2030.

“Given the government’s limited capacity and the challenges it faces, the private healthcare sector should be leveraged to unlock innovation and resources towards universal healthcare, especially through the engagement of private healthcare, policies that encourage and inspire public-private partnerships, collaboration with digital healthcare delivery organisations and technology integration,” Aduloju said.

He also noted that private sector providers can introduce innovative technologies, improve management practices and implement cost controls, leading to increased efficiency in the health care system.

“Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can accelerate the development and maintenance of healthcare infrastructure,” he said.

Nicole Spieker, CEO of PharmAccess Foundation, delivered the keynote address as special guest, sharing valuable insights on innovative approaches leveraging private sector solutions to deliver universal healthcare in the changing landscape of health insurance in Nigeria.

In her speech, she noted that health insurance should be seen as a social business that requires collaboration between the public and private sectors. She appealed to stakeholders to explore ways to engage corporates and banks in healthcare investment, pointing out that technology has the potential to promote universal access to healthcare in Nigeria.

“Private health insurers need capital to grow, and using technology can create services for lower-income groups,” Spieker said.

Tinuola Akinbolagbe, CEO of PSHAN, gave a background to the theme of the conference while also highlighting its purpose. She noted that PSHAN plays a key role in promoting private sector involvement in healthcare delivery, given its contribution to over 60 percent of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Akinbolagbe said the government must use accurate data backed by research to make informed decisions.

Iyadunni Olubode, director of MSD’s Nigerian programmes, said 60 per cent of Nigerians access healthcare through the private sector.

According to her, the public sector alone cannot meet the healthcare needs of Nigerians. “Collaboration between the public and private sectors in a mixed healthcare system is the only way to achieve universal healthcare coverage in Nigeria,” Olubode said.

She added that the private sector provides innovation, efficiency, access and sometimes investment and therefore needs support.

“The private sector needs access to finance to provide the healthcare they want. Just as citizens need demand-side finance, healthcare is a business that also requires supply-side finance,” she added.

Following the physical summit, the conference continued with a virtual session on June 27, open to the public. This virtual conference facilitated the exchange of perspectives and experiences, with practical solutions to the challenges facing achieving UHC in Nigeria.

Dr. Leke Oshunniyi, President, Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN), delivered the keynote address, highlighting the critical role of the private sector in achieving UHC. He advocated for enhanced collaboration and innovative approaches to healthcare delivery.

The conference facilitated dialogue, promoted collaboration and stimulated innovation in the healthcare sector.

PSHAN aims to create an enabling environment through collaboration between leaders and experts to develop effective strategies that will have a significant impact on the Nigerian healthcare system and its path towards universal health coverage.