Catholic doctors want financing mechanism to boost Universal Health Coverage

By Stanley Onyekwere

Some medical experts under the umbrella of Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (ACMPN) have called for the establishment of a robust health financing mechanism, to enable more people have access to quality healthcare services, irrespective of their social and economic status.

In particular, the Catholic Doctors noted that a robust health financing mechanism such as a mandatory contributory social health insurance, where the formal and informal sectors as well as communities actively participate in the process.

This, they maintained will fast track the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, which will boost provision of efficient healthcare services to all Nigerians.

Making this assertion at the weekend, ACMPN’s National President, Dr. Matthew Ashikeni, decried that the in the wake of the COVID19 pandemic, many women, children, families and communities suffered the consequences of limited access to essential health services.

Ashikeni, in his remarks at the Association’s 15th annual general meeting and scientific conference/Africa Regional Conference themed: Universal Health Coverage 2030 and health security in Abuja, noted that the pandemic might have affected the progress towards attaining UHC by 2030.

According to him, “there is the need for the government agencies concerned to integrate the Catholic health institutions and other similar facilities , to complement each other in the provision of essential health services to all Nigerians.

“There must be deliberate effort in supporting health institutions for synergy and the multiplier effects on the health of citizens without them suffering financial hardships especially considering that out of pocket payment for healthcare accounts for as high as 76.6% of total expenditure on health, with the poor suffering the most.”

Furthermore, he explained that in recognition of the bio-ethical considerations in their practice, the Association has worked together with the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria and Catholic Bishops Conference to produce a very resourceful handbook to guide all Catholic doctors in practice, for the best interest and benefit of humanity.

This, according to him will be very useful to all members of the Association, from the formative stages to established practices, as it is also recommended for all medical students, who are being mentored for excellence in service to humanity.

Similarly,  in his goodwill message, the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, who described the : the role of Catholic doctors as apt, said it’s realistic, given strategic synergy and cooperation with stakeholders in the society.

According to him: “In no distant time, I know will be able to achieve universal health coverage, as the policies are there, all will need to do is to put our acts together, and will be there.

“And with an association like this, partnering with government, I think the target it’s quite achievable”.

Not left out, the Chief host, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Kaigama, the Bishops Conference are certainly very delighted with the effort of the Catholic Medical Practitioners in Nigeria.

Kaigama, said : “ This conference put together in this manner is really encouraging. And because they want medical doctors to be complete Catholics integrating science and faith together, they have produced a handbook for Catholic Medical Practitioners in Nigeria.

“And I have the honour and pleasure of presenting it to you; asking you to accept and use it to the glory of God Almighty”.

The highpoint of the conference was presentation of exemplary leadership Awards to the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, Renowned Economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, and Chairman, Senate committee on Primary Healthcare and Communicable Diseases, Senator Chukwuka Utazi; and presentation of Distinguished membership award to Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe respectively.