The Federal Government, in collaboration with state health ministries and key partners, has launched a $1.2 billion Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) initiative aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, the National Coordinator for SWAp, announced this during a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday. He emphasized that this comprehensive strategy is designed to address persistent challenges in the healthcare sector, including inadequate funding, staff shortages, poor data management, and insufficient infrastructure.
Umar-Sadiq highlighted that the SWAp initiative marks a significant shift towards a more coordinated and efficient healthcare system in Nigeria. The goal is to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of their location or economic status, has access to quality healthcare services. This initiative comes in response to the critical state of healthcare in Nigeria, where maternal mortality rates remain among the highest globally.
“The SWAp initiative aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in the allocation and utilization of funds, ensuring that resources are directed towards priority areas and used to achieve measurable outcomes,” Umar-Sadiq stated.
He pointed out the severe shortage of healthcare professionals in Nigeria, with only 23.3 doctors per 100,000 people, far below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation of 100 per 100,000. The SWAp initiative will focus on improving the distribution and availability of skilled healthcare workers across the country, particularly in underserved areas.
Umar-Sadiq also addressed the issue of unreliable health data in Nigeria. He noted significant discrepancies, such as the country’s reported 159.7% DPT3 immunization rate, which contrasts sharply with WHO surveys indicating a 55% rate. The initiative will work to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to produce critical health products locally, including mRNA vaccines, bed nets, and select therapeutics.
The SWAp initiative will also aim to consistently meet the 7-1-7 targets for health threat management, ensuring rapid detection and response to health emergencies, thereby bolstering public health resilience.
Moreover, Umar-Sadiq underscored that the initiative will make health data in Nigeria more credible, accessible, and actively used by both public and private sectors to better understand the health needs of Nigerians and guide policy decisions.
“The overarching goal is to ensure that every Nigerian has access to high-quality, life-saving care, regardless of economic status or location,” he reiterated.
The SWAp Coordination Office is tasked with the strategic planning, implementation, and oversight of the Sector-Wide Approach in Nigeria’s health sector. Working closely with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, state health ministries, development partners, and key stakeholders, the office ensures a unified effort to transform Nigeria’s healthcare system.
