HSCL HOLDS END OF PROJECT EVENT FOR THE NIGERIA STATE-LED SP4FP-MNCH PROJECT

The Nigeria State Led-Strategic Purchasing for Family Planning and Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (SP4FP-MNCH) project was a 5-year Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) -funded support to Lagos State with some technical components to Bauchi and Yobe States. The project aimed to strengthen the strategic purchasing functions of the State Health Insurance Schemes (SHIS) for family planning (FP) and MNCH services from private mid-level private providers, to increase access and uptake of the services.

With Health Systems Consult Limited (HSCL) as the prime in a 4-firm consortium, support was provided across four workstreams with each implemented by a different partner: Strategic Purchasing (capacity building) by private provider, Readiness by Insight Health Consulting (IHC), Demand Generation by Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI), and Operations Research by Health Policy Research Group (HPRG).

The project launched in 2018 culminated in a successful close-out on March 31st, 2024. To celebrate its achievements, a dissemination event was held on March 12th at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, GRA Ikeja.

This event brought together key stakeholders, industry experts, policymakers, and the public. It served as a platform to showcase the implemented project activities and its significant accomplishments. The focus wasn't just on celebrating milestones, but also on charting a path forward for improved healthcare delivery.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EVENT

It was an honour to have distinguished guests including DG/CEO National Health Insurance Agency (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, Honourable Commissioners of Health from Lagos and Yobe States respectively, Prof. Akin Abayomi and Dr. Mohammed Lawan Gana, Representative of the project funder, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Dada Mansur Rodio Diallo, and ES/PS of the respective State Health Insurance Agencies for Bauchi and Lagos respectively, Dr. (Mrs.) Emmanuella Zamba among other notable stakeholders gracing the occasion.

Setting the stage for an engaging panel discussion, Dr. Olumide Okunola (Senior Specialist, World Bank) spoke on the efforts of the Government of Nigeria on the Health Sector Renewal and Investment Initiative/Sector Wide Approach (SWAp); Implication for Strategic Purchasing at the Subnational.

Attendees were presented with comprehensive insights into the achievements of the SP4FP-MNCH project. The event served as a testament to the effectiveness of strategic purchasing in addressing health poverty and advancing healthcare access.

Welcoming the guests at the event, the HSCL Founding Partner - Dr. Nkata Chuku expressed his joy at the successful completion of the project, adding that the best part is that there is so much to show for it, especially with the testimonies from the project beneficiaries.

“It’s a special day for me because the beautiful journey that started 5 years and 8 months ago is coming to an end, and we have so much impact to show for it” he said, while also thanking the implementing partners for the roles they played to ensure the success of the project.

Speaking on the impact of the project, HSCL’s Director, Sustainable Development - Dr. Oluwatosin Kolade highlighted some of the project achievements to include the integration of the full complement of FP, MNCH and some oncology services into the health benefit package of the Ilera Eko Scheme which led to 14% increase in the uptake of FP services and a 4% increase in the uptake of MNCH services, supported the design and airing of radio jingles with an estimated reach of about 12 million people, informal sector support with over 41,000 enrolments in Lagos state which reduced out of pocket payment by 28%, improved private sector providers readiness for empanelment by 77%, increase in the number of empanelled private providers into the Ilera Eko scheme, sponsoring 4 senior management staff of LASHMA on a study tour to the Rwanda Health Insurance Council for peer learning, conducted baseline assessment of 670 and 1,256 and health facilities in Bauchi and Lago states respectively, and development of a 5 years HEFAMAA strategy plan. Deployment of Practical Approach Care Kit (PACK) guide Nigeria in 20 pilot PHCs (one per LGA) in Bauchi state, to simplify and standardize PHC level care by primary health workers and the development of Monitoring and Evaluation plans for the Ilera Eko and Yobe state health insurance schemes.

In her goodwill message, the Senior Program Officer, Country Impact and Program Planning, BMGF, Madam Rodio Diallo congratulated HSCL and their partners for this project a success, adding that the expectation is for more successes in the future. She urged the government of Lagos State and Nigeria to strive towards improving on the current health indicators.

Delivering the keynote address, the Director General of NHIA - Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, noted that health poverty and lack of access to basic healthcare needs is a big problem in Nigeria.

“Health poverty is a major issue in our communities, especially for those in the very fragile middle class” he said, adding that the principles of strategic purchasing applied in the SP4FP/MNCH project helps to alleviate this. Dr. Ohiri also said that the SP4FP-MNCH project has enhanced access to vulnerable populations by promoting universal health coverage.

In his closing statement, HSCL’s Managing Partner - Dr. Alozie Ananaba, thanked the project partners for their commitment throughout the project lifespan. He also thanked everyone for attending the end of project dissemination event while also expressing his joy at the project sustainability plan.

“It’s been a wonderful 5 years in Lagos. We usually create beautiful initiatives but without a sustainability plan, but the SP4FP-MNCH project has ensured sustainability with good stakeholder involvement, and this should be replicated in other states” he concluded. A panel discussion deliberated on “State-Led Health Insurance and SWAp implementation: Implication and Opportunities for UHC”. The session delved into pertinent issues surrounding health insurance and the government new initiatives/strategies for advancing universal health coverage in Nigeria.

The event also highlighted the significance of stakeholder engagement in ensuring the sustainability and replication of successful strategies in other regions. Representatives from the project consortium partners and project beneficiaries also shared their perspectives and experiences, further emphasising the importance of collaboration in driving positive change in healthcare delivery.

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