Nigeria Secures $1 Billion Afreximbank Facility for Healthcare

In a major leap towards boosting medical industrialization and improving healthcare services in Nigeria, the Federal Government has secured a $1 billion funding from Afreximbank.

This significant financial support, along with commitments from foreign partners, will help unlock the full potential of the country’s healthcare sector.

In addition to this financial boost, the government has also made strides in the following areas:

Basic Healthcare Fund: The first tranche of N50 billion is set to be released to enhance healthcare delivery, a substantial increase from the N25 billion allocated in 2022.

Health Insurance: The Ministry of Health has successfully enrolled 750,000 more Nigerians into its national health insurance scheme, providing them with access to essential healthcare services.

Antenatal Care: Through various initiatives, 550,000 women have been encouraged to attend their first antenatal clinics, promoting healthier pregnancies and improved health outcomes for both mothers and babies.

Recruitment and Infrastructure
To bridge the gap created by the recent exodus of healthcare workers, the government has recruited 2,497 doctors, midwives/nurses, and community health extension workers.

Additionally, 1400 health facilities across the country have been equipped with skilled birth attendants to assist in deliveries.

The Federal Government is also focusing on improving tertiary healthcare delivery by upgrading infrastructure and providing specialized care in 12 federal hospitals and health centers.

Addressing the rising cost of drugs and essentials, the government is working on an executive order to regulate prices in the short term, while a long-term plan involves domesticating imported drugs within the next three years in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade.

Pharmaceutical Infrastructure and Immunization
To strengthen the pharmaceutical infrastructure, the government is constructing pharmaceutical-grade warehouses in 21 states in partnership with Drug Management agencies.

The government’s commitment to immunization has led to significant strides in protecting the population from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Through robust vaccination campaigns and outreach programs, the country has achieved remarkable success in sustaining immunization coverage nationwide.

Response to Lassa Fever and HPV Vaccination
In response to the recent Lassa fever outbreak, the Federal Government has distributed essential response commodities to affected states and treatment centers, ensuring that healthcare workers and facilities are well-equipped to manage and contain the outbreak.

The government has also successfully covered HPV vaccination for eligible girls aged 9-14 years, with Phase 2 scheduled to begin in May 2024 in various states across the country.