Govt begins talks on private health sector financing, regulation

AS part of the Federal Government's efforts to expand access to health services, improve quality of care and maximise the health sector's contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Mohammed Ali Pate, will today in Lagos begin series of consultations with the private sector.The consultation is scheduled to hold at the Wheatbaker Hotel, 4 Onitolo Road (Lawrence Road), Ikoyi, Lagos, from 8.00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.The inaugural Private Health Sector Summit, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, will focus on 'improving access to finance and creating an enabling policy and regulatory environment.'According to Ohiri, the engagement with the private health sector has been articulated in three horizons: Building an analytical basis for engagement through a robust diagnostic of the private health sector; directly engaging the different sub-segments of the private health sector through focused consultations; and initiating specific policy and regulatory interventions, as well as other quick-wins to stimulate the sector.According to the statement, the key outputs of the consultation include: Better understanding of the vision of the government for the health sector and the role the private health sector can play in this regard; increased level of direct dialogue between the government and the private health sector; and concrete actionable next steps for the government to improve regulatory environment, enhance access to capital and create an enabling environment for the private health sector to grow.The statement added: 'The Federal Ministry of Health recognises the fact that the private health sector is an important partner in the drive to expand access to health services, improve quality of care and maximise the health sector's contribution to the country's GDP. Therefore, consistent with the National Strategic Health Development Plan and the Transformation Agenda, 'Reviving the private health sector by unlocking its market potential' has been prioritised as an area for the health sector.
Click here to read full news..