Pate Urges States to Boost Healthcare Funding as NCDs Rise | ClipTV Online

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has called for increased investment in healthcare. He called on expanded health insurance coverage and stronger research to address Nigeria’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including hypertension, diabetes, cancer and stroke.

Pate made the call at the unveiling of A Review of Non-Communicable Diseases in Nigeria. This was during the production of a publication by the Health Sector Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON).

He said Nigeria’s health system must urgently prepare for an increasing burden of chronic illnesses as life expectancy improves and the population ages.

According to the minister, non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke, needs urgent attention. He added that sickle cell disease, cancers and neurological disorders require greater attention from policymakers and healthcare providers.

He further attributed the rising challenge partly to lifestyle changes and population ageing. Prof. added, “longer life expectancy could result in more Nigerians living with chronic conditions that require continuous monitoring and treatment.”

Pate described NCDs as one of the country’s fastest-growing health challenges. He urged state governments to increase funding for healthcare and strengthen their capacity to respond.

Furthermore, he emphasised the importance of expanding health insurance. He explained that chronic conditions impose recurring financial burdens on patients and families because treatment may be required throughout their lives.

“Now we are coming to the era of non-communicable diseases where, if you have diabetes or hypertension, you are on lifelong treatment that has a cost. You have to afford the medicines, afford the tests, and so expanding health insurance is also a critical piece to it,” he said.

The minister highlight the importance of stronger insurance coverage and sustainable healthcare financing. He added that many Nigerians would remain vulnerable to the financial consequences of prolonged illness.

He also expressed concern about the high number of undiagnosed diabetes cases in the country. The minister then call for more research into how NCDs manifest among African populations.

Pate noted that much of the existing understanding of diseases such as diabetes was based on studies conducted in other populations. He underscored the need for evidence that reflects the experiences and health needs of Africans.

“Diabetes is a huge problem, much of it yet undiagnosed,” he said. Calling for a deeper understanding of the disease among Nigerians, particularly its relationship with other conditions such as hypertension.

The minister acknowledged progress in addressing infectious diseases, maternal mortality and child health challenges. He however warned that NCDs were becoming an increasingly significant component of Nigeria’s disease burden.

“In the past 30, 40 years, infectious diseases, maternal and child health were the main issues. They are still with us, but non-communicable diseases, even though smaller, are becoming an increasingly faster-growing segment of our burden of disease,” he noted.

He called on state governments to complement federal health reforms with increased funding, noting that improved fiscal conditions will be helpful. Pate added that increased resources available to states should translate into better healthcare delivery.

“States are getting a lot more resources now, thanks to major reforms over the last three years. The fiscal position is improved, but we need states to also join in this by putting resources so that we will get the health system properly to function,” Pate said.

He explained that the Federal Government was implementing the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative to strengthen governance. The reform is developing the health workforce, improving infrastructure and diagnostics, and supporting local medical production. He stated that these are expanding the financial protection for patients.

Pate disclosed that more than seven million Nigerians had been enrolled in health insurance within the preceding three years. Adding that the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has been working with state governments increase the figure.

He described the development as significant progress compared with the number of Nigerians enrolled during the preceding years.

“Through NHIA, in the last three years, with the states, more than seven million Nigerians have been added to health insurance, a third of what we have been able to accomplish in 30 years,” he said.

The minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve the capacity of healthcare workers and upgrade facilities needed to diagnose and treat complex diseases.

He disclosed that nearly 80,000 frontline health workers had been retrained in the last three years. Pated noted noted that training curricula for medical and nursing students has also been expanded. He added that the number of medical students being trained had doubled.

According to Pate, although primary healthcare remains the foundation of the health system, Nigeria also needs stronger secondary and tertiary facilities. Adding that the facilities should be capable of managing complex conditions, including cancers and cardiovascular diseases.

He said three of six planned cancer centres had been commissioned, while two of 10 completed diagnostic centres had also been commissioned about two weeks before the event.

The diagnostic facilities, he explained, were equipped to provide advanced services, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scans and cardiac catheterisation laboratory services.

Pate further disclosed that the Federal Executive Council had recently approved a major infrastructure project at the National Hospital, estimated to cost ₦268 billion.

He described the investment as part of broader efforts to expand Nigeria’s capacity to provide advanced medical services and respond to emerging health challenges associated with demographic and epidemiological changes.

The minister commended HERFON and the contributors to the publication, expressing confidence that their analysis and recommendations would help guide Nigeria’s response to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.