The National Assembly Thursday stated that Nigeria’s mortality indices remained extremely high despite huge resources sunk into the health sector over the years by government at all levels .
It accordingly called for prioritisation of health security in the country on the template of Universal Health Coverage, which it added, cannot be achieved through the exclusive National Health Insurance Scheme run by the federal government.
Making the lamentation at a media briefing, chairmen of the Joint Committee of both chambers on Health, said the issues have been put at front burner of discourse at the 4th Annual Legislative Summit on Health, slated for next week in Abuja.
Specifically the chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe (APC Kwara Central), in a written speech read at the briefing said actions by legislature have become critically necessary in view of the worrisome statistics.
He said: “these actions by the legislature have become critically necessary as the country’s mortality indices have remained extremely high with minimal improvements, despite the magnitude of resources contributed to improve the statistics.
“For instance, the National Demographic Health Survey (2018) findings revealed that in the seven years preceding the survey, infant mortality rate was 67 deaths per 1,000 live births; under-5 mortality was 132 deaths per 1,000 live births; and maternal mortality ratio, 512 deaths per 100,000 live births.
“Similar dismal indices are recorded across different health indicators and call for accelerated responses like this one, across different spheres of stakeholders to address the challenges giving rise to these.’’
He added that in addressing the problem, health security should be prioritised in the country through Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
