As President Bola Tinubu marks his second year in office, his administration’s renewed emphasis on revitalising Nigeria’s health sector has drawn mixed reactions from health experts, civil society actors, and frontline professionals.
The stakeholders spoke in an interview on Thursday in Abuja.
They urged the Federal Government to prioritise implementation, equity, and sustainability across the board.
Health sector achievements under the Renewed Hope Agenda include the revitalisation of over 1,000 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the country and the upgrading of an additional 5,500 PHCs.
It also includes establishment of six new cancer treatment centres, free dialysis is offered in pilot tertiary hospitals, while usubsidised dialysis services are provided in other facilities.
Under the Presidential Maternal Health Initiative, over 4,000 women have undergone free cesarean sections.
Expansion from 16 million to 20 million Nigerians covered by health insurance within two years.
A global health advocate, Dr Francis Ekene said that revitalising PHCs is critical for delivering maternal and child health services at the grassroots.
“However, we must ensure that these centres are not just painted and reopened, but staffed with trained personnel, stocked with essential medicines, and linked to a referral system,” Ekene said.
According to him, Nigeria has over 30,000 PHCs, but many remain poorly equipped or completely non-functional.
He said that cosmetic renovations would not yield improved health outcomes without tackling workforce shortages and systemic inefficiencies.
A Public Health Expert, Dr Amina Hamza said that PHCs must also serve as early warning systems in epidemic response.
“Functional PHCs are the bedrock of epidemic prevention. Without community-based surveillance and effective PHCs, we remain vulnerable to outbreaks.
“The president’s statement is promising but implementation must be data-driven and community-focused,” Hamza said.
On the president’s claim that six new cancer centres are operational and dialysis services are now free in select federal hospitals, cancer control advocate Mrs Rachel Chida, welcomed the initiative but raised concerns about affordability.
“Six new cancer treatment centres are a step in the right direction, but without addressing the high out-of-pocket costs for patients, access will remain limited to a privileged few.
“Subsidies and decentralisation are key.”She said.
Chida highlighted the importance of sustained funding and federal-state collaboration for the free dialysis programme.
“Free dialysis services in some hospitals are commendable.
“However, the sustainability of such programmes requires partnerships with state governments and private providers “ she said.
On maternal health, the Tinubu administration touted its free caesarean section initiative under the “Renewed Hope” agenda.
A reproductive health consultant, Dr Fatima Adamu said that much more must be done.
“Free C-sections are welcome, but to reduce maternal mortality, we must also address antenatal care, emergency transport systems, and trained midwives at the PHC level,” Adamu said
A former senior official with the National Midwives Association of Nigeria, Mrs Hauwa Musa commended the initiative.
Musa, however, called for more investments in the midwifery workforce.
“A mother should not have to travel 30 km in labour to reach care,” she said.
The president also announced an increase in the number of Nigerians enrolled in health insurance, from 16 million to 20 million, under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
Experts, however, called for greater clarity on the demographics of enrollees and service quality.
A Universal Health Coverage advocate, Dr Umaru Bala said that an increase from 16 million to 20 million enrollees showed momentum towards UHC.
“But we must address equity. Are the most vulnerable covered? Are services free at the point of care,” he queried.
Bala, a health economist, said that beyond the numbers, Nigeria must track who is enrolled.
“Informal workers, pregnant women, children and whether enrollment actually translates into improved health outcomes,” he said.
Meanwhile, civil society groups are pressing for accountability.
The Budget Associate, Africa Health Budget Network, Mr Sadiq Sani urged the government to publish a full scorecard of health interventions for transparency.
“Citizens deserve to see where funds are going, and where gaps remain,” he said.
Sani called on the media to go beyond presidential statements and visit the PHCs, cancer centres, and insurance facilities to verify the realities.
“Accountability must be based on facts on the ground,” he said.
As the Tinubu administration begins its third year, health experts agree that political will must now translate into systemic action, with a special focus on Nigeria’s most vulnerable communities.
NAN
