The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Plateau State Chapter, has held its maiden Business Coalition for Health Summit aimed at addressing critical gaps in the state’s healthcare sector.
The Chairman of NMA Plateau, Dr. Yilji Kumtap said the summit, held on Thursday in Plateau, was convened to tackle key challenges in the health sector.
The event, themed “Unlocking the Value Chain in Healthcare Financing Through Sustainable Business Partnerships,” was designed to foster meaningful dialogue and drive strategic partnerships to improve healthcare delivery.
Kumtap stressed that the initiative sought to explore innovative solutions and attract sustainable investments to bridge gaps in the healthcare system.
He noted that the sector urgently required innovation, adding that the integration of business strategies—either through philanthropy or for-profit investment—could transform healthcare delivery.
“The summit serves as a platform for generating innovative ways to address the persistent challenges in the healthcare system,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Sim Shagaya, Chancellor of Miva Open University, highlighted the pressing infrastructural challenges in the sector.
Represented by the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Tayo Arulogun, Shagaya advocated for increased private sector participation through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
He urged private businesses to move beyond merely building hospitals and instead focus on developing healthcare facilities that support both physical and virtual care delivery.
According to him, this model could reduce operational costs while expanding access to outpatient services through digital platforms.
“Tech companies can partner with healthcare providers to develop local solutions tailored to our specific challenges. This isn’t about importing foreign models; it’s about creating systems that work for us,” he said.
Shagaya also emphasized the need to move beyond traditional healthcare funding models. He proposed that businesses invest in healthcare infrastructure with returns linked to improved health outcomes or through micro-insurance schemes aimed at making care more affordable and sustainable.
He commended the NMA Plateau leadership for the initiative, describing it as critical to building a more resilient healthcare system in Plateau State and across Nigeria.
Awards were presented during the one-day summit to individuals recognised for their exceptional contributions to healthcare development in the state.
Among the recipients were Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, and Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
