President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said the Federal
Government has disbursed a total of N100 billion to indigenous pharmaceutical
manufacturers and healthcare investors as loans.
Buhari said the loan was to expand the capital base of
pharmaceutical manufacturers and boost local production of medicines and
medical consumables.
Buhari disclosed this in Abuja while receiving the new
Executive Members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
The President explained that the loan was extended through
the Central Bank of Nigeria’s support to the private pharmaceutical sector.
He added that the Health Sector Reform Committee chaired by
Vice-President Professor Yemi Osinbajo is currently exploring models for
revitalizing the nation’s healthcare system that would improve the quality of
care and the benefits package to care providers.
On brain drain in the health sector, the President said he
had directed the Honourable Minister of Health to look into ways of turning
“brain drain” to “brain gain” by engaging top Nigerian medical experts in the
diaspora in knowledge and skills repatriation.
He urged the Association and other stakeholders in the
health sector to support initiatives by the Federal Government and work with
the Committees set up to chart a fast track to a health system that best meets
the needs of Nigerians in the 21st Century.
The President also commended the Association, which is the
umbrella body of all Medical Practitioners in Nigeria, for consistently
choosing peaceful resolution of differences on matters pertinent to the National
health system.
“I commend our medical professionals for their contribution
to Nigeria’s exemplary management of the COVID-19 pandemic, the control of
malaria, HIV and Tuberculosis, and other feats also achieved by Nigerian
doctors in the diaspora.
“Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been praised
internationally and your members are key parts of this success.
“I recall that in the last quarter of 2021, the immediate
past NMA Executives visited me and presented recommendations for the health sector,
which included, the review and amendment of NHIS Act; upgrading and equipping
existing health institutions; loans to fund hospital equipment; the repeal and
re-enactment of the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Act; and Appeal for more
funding for the four (4) newly established Universities of Medical Sciences.
“I am pleased to inform you that most of these
recommendations have been addressed, whilst further action is being taken to
study those involving cross-cutting administrative processes with legal
implications.”
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