By Henry Uche 

Experts in the health sector of the economy and other critical stakeholders are set for a discourse on issues surrounding Nigeria’s health system with the aim of setting a clear agenda for the next administration come 2023.

With the theme, “The Political Economy of Health- Investing in the Future of Nigeria,” the hybrid future of health conference put together by Nigerian Health Watch (NHW) holding October 13 is expected to provide a visible platform for critical stakeholders in healthcare, finance, politics, and other allied sectors to discuss the factors that influence Nigeria’s health policies.

It would also see to how political, social, and economic factors shape individual and population health outcomes; health service development within the economic and political context; and how to create a national health service that meets the needs of all Nigerians.

A statement from the communication manager, NHW, Uche Nwagboso, revealed that it is high time Nigerians push health up the political agenda if we are to make any meaningful progress toward achieving Universal Health Coverage and if Nigerians want to see an improvement in Nigeria’s health indices.

According to her, the discourse on health is expected to go beyond policymakers in the health sector. “We have an amazing line-up of speakers and thought leaders across board who will be speaking on: Economy of health, politics, and health, and political leadership in health,” Nwagboso confirmed.

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Commenting, the managing director of NHW, Vivianne Ihekweazu, stated that, “The recent pandemic exposed how fragile our health sector is and we need to create an avenue for discourse to ensure that our leaders and policymakers prioritise healthcare as a critical investment and catalyst for economic growth.”

Ihekweazu added that continuous advocacy was essential for the development and implementation of policies that effect positive change, growth, and development in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

According to her, the health conference seeks to foster dialogue among critical stakeholders in policymaking, economics, and healthcare on the need for more innovative, scalable, and sustainable healthcare strategies.

It also seeks to amplify the role of government across board in creating a more favourable environment for better healthcare access to achieve better health outcomes for individuals and communities.

“Advocacy for the development and implementation of policies that effect positive change, growth, and development for Nigeria’s healthcare system must be sustained. At the end of this conference we shall issue a 7-point communique to relevant stakeholders in public and private sectors to cause informed decisions, workable plans and policy design- geared towards improving our health sector for the good of every Nigerian,” she affirmed.