…Vows collaboration with stakeholders to drive health strategies
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Association of Nigeria Health Journalists, ANHEJ, has called for unique strategies to address the health needs of Nigerians.
ANHEJ gave this call via a resolution made in communiqué signed by President of ANHEJ, Hassan Zaggi and the General Secretary, Nike Adebowale, issued at the end of its 6th Annual Conference on the 19th of December 2022, at Akwanga, Nasarawa State.
The resolution was based on the fact that Universal Health Coverage, UHC, is vital in ensuring that citizens of countries access to equal and equitable health services since no single model is suitable for all countries as individual countries have their peculiarities which could be approached distinctly.
ANHEJ therefore urged governments at levels to design unique and peculiar UHC models to address the health needs of Nigerians.
As the watchdog in the Health Sector, the health association said it is committed to monitor closely the implementation of the various health insurance packages and expose their weaknesses so that the NHIA and other relevant agencies of government can make the needed amendments for the good of all Nigerians.
ANHEJ further vowed to increase sensitization and awareness creation on the importance of health insurance among political leaders, well-to-do individuals, states, and local governments to increase enrollment of their citizens into the health insurance scheme.
The Association reiterated commitment to work harmoniously with all stakeholders in the health sector to ensure full implementation of the adolescent health policies strategies towards provision of sexual and reproductive health services to young people in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, members also agreed to work with stakeholders in the health sector, towards driving the implementation of various health sector policies and strategies for a healthy and productive citizenry.
The ANHEJ 6th Conference theme was “Universal Health Insurance (UHC) & NHIA: How Can Nigeria Get It Right – The Role of the Media in Perspective,” and the sub-theme, “FP2030 Targets: Is Nigeria on Track?” and had members of ANHEJ and some development partners in attendance.
The objectives was to deliberate on burning issues in the health sector, assess the activities of individual members and the association, and to interface with development partners on ways to improve Nigeria’s health sector and strengthen the already existing relationship.
Participants comprised of members of ANHEJ and development partners from the World Health Organization (WHO), National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and Marie Stopes Nigeria.
