Minister Blames Constitution for Faulty Health Sector

Prof. Eyitayo Lambo

A former Minister of Health, Prof. Eyitayo Lambo, has faulted the 1999 constitution with regard to the health sector, saying it does not  spell out the roles of all the tiers of government.

He also advocated the introduction of health insurance scheme for the private and public sectors of the economy, if the country is to achieve universal health coverage.

He lamented that only about three per cent of the population are currently benefitting from the National Health Insurance Scheme.

He spoke with journalists on Monday in Abuja after delivering a paper entitled, “Federalism and Nigeria’s Healthcare System: An Appraisal of the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Systems” as part of the activities marking the 2013 Physicians Week, organised by the Nigerian Medical Association.

He said, “There is no clear definition of roles and responsibilities in health for the different tiers of government in the 1999 constitution. All the tiers of government are involved in various aspects of the health system, resulting in inefficiency and ineffectiveness.

“There is inadequate funding of the National Health Insurance Scheme. There is lack of accountability with regard to the provision and financing of health services.”

He also pointed out that there was inadequate coordination and collaboration on health matters by different tiers of government. He therefore urged the NMA to use the opportunity of the ongoing constitution review exercise to ensure that the role of each of the tiers of government was well spelt out in the constitution.

Lambo said, “If the primary health care delivery system and the other two health care delivery systems are functioning well, with an effective referral system, the primary health care system should be able to resolve the health problems of at least 70 per cent of the people, compared to the less than 20 per cent of the population that it currently attends to in Nigeria.”

The ex-minister also criticised the idea of people paying out of pocket for health care services, saying it was capable of depriving the less-privileged of the much needed health care services.

He said that to ensure health coverage for the poor and vulnerable in the society, the government must use public funds, “probably complemented with foreign assistance,” to provide coverage for the poor, pregnant women and underaged persons.