Redouble efforts to attain UHC, pharmacists urge government
By Kemi Akintokun
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Lagos chapter, on Monday urged the government to redouble efforts and re-appraise the country’s health system to attain the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The Chairman of ACPN Lagos chapter, Tolulope Ajayi, made the call at a news conference on Monday, organised by the body to mark the 2024 Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Scientific Week ACPN Day.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the programme is “The Imperative of the March towards Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria: The Unique Place of Community Pharmacists”.
Ajayi said in spite efforts in place to enhance the health system, the country was still ranked 157 among 167 member nations in 2023.
He said one of the measures needed to ensure that the country attain the 2030 target for UHC, is to create access to full range of patients care which includes pharmaceutical care and a functional health insurance scheme.
“First and foremost, we want to appreciate the government for its various programmes, projects, laws, policies and guidelines that are already in place to keep moving Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage.
“With all these efforts put together, the nation health indices still remains low.
“This indicates the need to redouble efforts and re-appraise our processes if we are to attain the set targets by the year 2030 along the three major lines the UHC addresses.
“Equity access to health services, optimal quality of the health services and protection against financial risk which are the three pillars of the UHC have not been attain despite the signing of Nigeria Health Insurance Act into law
“Countries close to the set targets like Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Sweden and others have functional health insurance systems, which is the only realistic avenue to attain these deliverables.
”Access to the full range of patient care which also includes pharmaceutical care that have evolved from the erstwhile sole drug dispensing functions to more patient-centred roles .
“This must be intentionally incorporated into our healthcare delivery system for consistent best treatment outcomes,” he said.
He also called for the scale up of management of health institutions and the elimination of the “my patient syndrome” noting that modern day healthcare delivery is multidisciplinary.
NAN reports that the association carried out medical outreach programmes in seven major markets in the state which include Iyana-Ipaja Market, Sabo Market in Ikorodu, Tejuosho Market in Yaba and Ipodo Market at Ikeja.
Others include the Iyana-Iba Market in Iba, New Market Ajara, Badagry and Ajah market. (NAN)
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
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