Lambo blames constitution for faulty health sector

A former Minister of Health, Prof. Eyitayo
Lambo, has faulted the 1999 constitution with
regard to the health sector, saying it does
not spell out the roles of all the tiers of
government.
He also advocated the introduction of health
insurance scheme for the private and public
sectors of the economy, if the country is to
achieve universal health coverage.
He lamented that only about three per cent of
the population are currently benefitting from
the National Health Insurance Scheme.
He spoke with journalists on Monday in Abuja
after delivering a paper entitled, "Federalism
and Nigeria's Healthcare System: An Appraisal
of the Primary and Secondary Healthcare
Systems" as part of the activities marking the
2013 Physicians Week, organised by the
Nigerian Medical Association.
He said, "There is no clear definition of roles
and responsibilities in health for the different
tiers of government in the 1999 constitution.
All the tiers of government are involved in
various aspects of the health system, resulting
in inefficiency and ineffectiveness.
"There is inadequate funding of the National
Health Insurance Scheme. There is lack of
accountability with regard to the provision
and financing of health services."
He also pointed out that there was inadequate
coordination and collaboration on health
matters by different tiers of government. He
therefore urged the NMA to use the
opportunity of the ongoing constitution
review exercise to ensure that the role of
each of the tiers of government was well spelt
out in the constitution.
Lambo said, "If the primary health care
delivery system and the other two health care
delivery systems are functioning well, with an
effective referral system, the primary health
care system should be able to resolve the
health problems of at least 70 per cent of the
people, compared to the less than 20 per cent
of the population that it currently attends to
in Nigeria."
The ex-minister also criticised the idea of
people paying out of pocket for health care
services, saying it was capable of depriving
the less-privileged of the much needed health
care services.
He said that to ensure health coverage for the
poor and vulnerable in the society, the
government must use public funds, "probably
complemented with foreign assistance," to
provide coverage for the poor, pregnant
women and underaged persons.