Nigerian Government Takes Action to Address Rising Drug Costs and Expand Healthcare Access

The Nigerian government has committed to procuring essential medicines to reduce the growing cost of drugs and healthcare products. During the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day event, Health Minister Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate outlined initiatives such as local pharmaceutical production and the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain. Pate also reported a 14% increase in health insurance enrollment, reaching 8 million insured Nigerians, and announced a N45.9 billion allocation to support vulnerable citizens in accessing free healthcare. Plans to improve health insurance for target groups and provide 2,500 obstetric fistula repairs were also revealed.