Medical practitioners have expressed approval for the recent call of the review of medicine and Medicare price across the country.
The review proposal was made by the House of Representatives where a comprehensive review of the medicine and Medicare price list under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), was requested.
The House of Representatives made the request, citing it as a necessary step in tackling the healthcare crisis in Nigeria.
The Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP) in a speech by the President of ANPMP, Dr. Kayode Adesola, praised the move, describing it as a response to the struggles faced by Nigerians in accessing affordable healthcare.
“It is very encouraging to learn that the House of Representatives under the leadership of the honourable Speaker, Tajudeen Abass, has decided to devote more time and resources to the welfare and the health of the common man,” he said.
Dr. Adesola echoed these concerns, highlighting how private medical providers have had to bear the brunt of inflation.
“The truth remains that we, the providers, have been subsidising the scheme. It is well known Nigerians will benefit immensely from a well-managed Health Insurance Scheme… The intervention of the House of Representatives will go a long way to serve as a catalyst to the efforts made in the last few months.”
Recall that the House of Representatives, last Thursday, directed relevant committees to work with the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Health Insurance Authority to update the price list for medicines, which had not been reviewed since 2021.
Paul Nnamchi, a member representing Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency, emphasized during plenary that the NHIS must reflect current economic realities.
He noted that the exchange rate shift from N400 to N1,594 per USD has rendered the existing price list ineffective.
“The Nigerian nation is presently grappling with economic hardship, inflationary pressures, and rising costs of living, which have had a profound impact on the affordability and accessibility of healthcare services,” he said.
“Many vulnerable patients, especially the marginalised segments of society, are finding it increasingly difficult to get essential and quality medications,” he added.
Meanwhile, President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Uche Ojinmah, voiced concerns over the broader economic consequences of rising healthcare costs.
“Nigerians are going deeper into poverty as a result of purchasing healthcare,” he said.
He raised his concern during a webinar organized by TheCable as he called for increased investment in local pharmaceutical production and advocated for policies that would reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, had also earlier announced plans for an executive order aimed at curbing drug prices.
However, two months later, the order has yet to be signed, leaving many citizens vulnerable to escalating costs.
Dr. Ojinmah warned that if the gap between rich and poor in healthcare access continues to widen, it could lead to social unrest.
“There is a point it will get to and people will no longer sit in their houses and die but move into the streets and seek a solution,” he stated.