The President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Mr Ahmed I. Yakasai, has called for The Federal Government to begin local production of anti-retroviral drugs and vaccines.
He said the creation of such funds had become imperative because of the gradual withdrawal of Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation Initiatives (GAVI) from Nigeria.
He made this suggestion during an appraisal of the health sector at Pharmacy House, in Anthony Village, in Lagos.
Yakasai said: “I need to advocate that there is a need to review our dependence on donor agencies, hence the government should strongly do something urgent on preventing grave development. I must appreciate the Federal Government through the National Health Care Development Agency for organising Stakeholders forum on Vaccines production to stimulate interest and develop a business plan for local vaccines production in Nigeria.”
He said as the country marches on in the year, the Federal Government must embrace universal health coverage to give teeth to global norms which presume that access to health must be the right of all citizens. “The fastest way to achieving this is to embrace primary healthcare which places a premium on preventive care. Nigeria’s first National Health Act was passed into law in 2014, but nothing serious has happened in terms of operating the basic tenets of the enabling Act,” he stated
He said if this Act is implemented, it will be funded from one percent of Nigeria’s consolidated revenue and grants by International donor partners through the National Health Care Development Agency which will manage 45 percent of the fund as follows: Essential Drugs and Vaccines 20 percent, Laboratory Equipment and Transport 15 percent, and Human Resources 10 percent.
Yakasai added: “While the National Health Insurance Scheme which will manage 50 percent of the fund will cover pregnant women, children who are less than five years, the elderly from 65 years and physically challenged persons. The Federal Ministry of Health will manage five percent of the fund for the provision of basic minimum package of health facilities (Emergencies).”
TN
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