A consultant nephrologist, Dr Odeyemi Ayola, has called on the Federal Government to adopt a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) approach to transform and enhance funding in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Ayola made the call during an interview on Thursday in Lagos.
He emphasised the urgent need for collaboration between the public and private sectors to pool resources and boost investment in the nation’s healthcare system.
He suggested that the government should engage in partnerships with private organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and community groups to leverage funding, resources, and expertise.
According to him, such partnerships are crucial for bridging the gaps in health financing and service delivery.
“The public or private sector alone cannot achieve this. There must be a concerted effort to pull resources together,” he said.
Ayola said that a synergistic approach would enhance healthcare delivery, with increased total health expenditure due to private sector involvement.
“This is the practice in many developed countries,” he added.
He also linked improved healthcare funding to addressing the rising trend of the ‘japa’ syndrome, where health professionals migrated abroad in search of better opportunities, stressing that a well-funded and efficient system could help retain talent.
The nephrologist pointed out major challenges confronting Nigeria’s healthcare system, including poor infrastructure, limited access to services, high treatment costs, and a shortage of professionals.
He highlighted that a collaborative strategy, combining the strengths of both public and private entities, was essential to overcoming the issues.
He said that successful PPPs had been shown in various case studies to improve health outcomes, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery.
Ayola urged government agencies to actively seek partnerships with private sector players, saying this would help transform the healthcare system and achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“Together, they can leverage their respective strengths to build a resilient healthcare system that meets the needs of our people.
“Public-private partnerships are not just beneficial; they are necessary for driving innovation and ensuring sustainable access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians,” he said.
NAN
