By:Rakiya Garba Karaye, Maiduguri
The Federal Government has disbursed N100 billion to indigenous pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare investors as loans to expand their capital base, boost local production of medicines and medical consumables.
President Muhammadu Buhari announced this when he received the new Executive Members of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He explained that the loan was extended through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s support to the private pharmaceutical sector.
According to him, the Health Sector Reform Committee chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, is currently exploring models for revitalizing the nation’s healthcare system.
This is in ways that improve quality of care and the benefit package to care providers.
He urged the association and other stakeholders in the health sector to support initiatives by the Federal Government.
Buhari also urged them to work with the committees set up to chart a fast track to a health system that best meet the needs of Nigerians in the 21st Century.
The president also commended the association, which is the umbrella body of all Medical Practitioners in Nigeria, for consistently choosing peaceful resolution of differences on matters pertinent to the National health system.
He said the recommendations included the review and amendment of NHIS Act; upgrading and equipping existing health institutions as well as loans to fund hospital equipment.