The Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) has said that the country is embarking on a health sector reform that experts say could redefine the country’s path toward self-reliance in healthcare and wider development.
Dr Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, National Coordinator of the SWAp Coordination Office, said this on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Umar-Sadiq said that the move, anchored in the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and driven by SWAp, aimed to build a better-integrated, efficient health system capable of sustaining national responses to HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
He described the reform as “audacious and worthy,” noting that it reflects the deep commitment of federal, state, and community stakeholders, alongside development partners.
“This week, we reignited a new chapter in building an efficient, better-integrated health system that can sustain and strengthen our national response to HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
“What makes this effort different is that it sits within a larger transformation, the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative,” he said.
He said that the SWAp framework prioritises demand-driven integration for resource efficiency, the use of data intelligence for high-quality decision-making, and a unified national conversation to strengthen collaboration and reduce fragmentation.
“In response to shifts in global development funding, iNigeria established a Technical Working Group on AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM-TWG) to quantify immediate funding gaps.
“In record time, the country’s ATM programmes, NACA, NASCP, NTBLCP, and NMEP, alongside key agencies such as the NPHCDA, NHIA, the DHPRS of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the SWAp Coordination Office, produced a cost analysis that informed a ₦200 billion domestic investment,” he said.
According to Umar-Sadiq, a transition strategy is now being developed to address foundational gaps, strengthen programme arrangements, and enhance stakeholder engagement.
He said that the goal was to achieve population-level effectiveness and ensure optimal efficiency in the use of funds.
“While integration is embedded in the founding principles of our health system, SWAp provides the enabling environment for accelerated institutionalisation and deliberate policy reform where needed,” he said.
He said that on Aug. 11–12, stakeholders from across the health sector gathered in Abuja for a generative workshop to co-create solutions capable of unlocking efficiency in the system.
“The meeting produced dozens of integration opportunities Nigeria will pursue over the next three years.
“This journey blends passion and faith. It is a bold step that reflects the deep commitment of our leadership and partners at all levels,” he said.
NAN reports that observers said that the reform’s success will depend on sustained political will, strong collaboration, and consistent funding, but many agree it marks one of Nigeria’s most coordinated efforts to take charge of its health future.
(NAN)