By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – IN the quest to deepen public-private partnerships and synergies in the Nigeria’s healthcare system, the Country Director, PharmAccess, Njide Ndili who also doubles as President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, HFN, and other stakeholders, have demanded more inclusion in the nation’s healthcare system.

Ndili led private-sector healthcare leaders to the National Assembly and key government agencies, basically the HFN delegation, including Dr Benson Ayodele Cole, First Vice President; Dr Jennifer Anyanti, Second Vice President; Mrs Chinyere Okorocha, Public Relations Secretary; and Mr Reagan Rowland, Treasurer; engaged with legislative health leaders, including the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Sen. Ipalibo Banigo; Deputy Chairman, Sen. Samaila Kaila; and the Chairman of the House Committee on Health Institutions, Hon. Amos Magaji.

The majorly, the engagements centred on strengthening regulatory frameworks, increasing the national health budget, and expanding private-sector involvement in healthcare service delivery. 

They strongly emphasized and pointed out that the urgency of policies that would improve equitable access to quality healthcare by Nigerians remain paramount, particularly in underserved regions. 

Meanwhile, Sen. Samaila Kaila reassured and maintained that the Senate Committee on Health is strongly committed to partnering with private-sector organizations like PharmAccess to implement impactful reforms. 

Kaila said: “Creating an enabling environment for private-sector investment and streamlining regulatory processes are key steps toward strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system. Public-private collaboration will help bridge critical gaps and improve service delivery nationwide.”

In another engagement by the delegation with the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, NIPC, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, and the Presidential Unlocking Healthcare Value Chain Initiative, PVAC, among others, which the delegation met with Deputy Comptroller-General Caroline Niagwan, Tariff & Trade, Nigeria Customs Service,  discussed about the implementation of the Presidential Executive Order aimed at streamlining the importation of essential medical supplies. 

However, the discussions focused on reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and improving the efficiency of Nigeria’s healthcare supply chain, ensuring timely access to critical medical products.

To further explore opportunities for strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare investment climate, the team engaged with Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, NIPC, Aisha Rimi, strategies to incentivize private healthcare investments, enhance the ease of doing business, and foster an enabling environment for innovative healthcare solutions formed topical issues as it concerns the healthcare service delivery.