Amid the continued unprecedented rise in consumer inflation in Nigeria, the country’s medical body in Ekiti State, in the Southwest part of the country has urged President Bola Tinubu to implement import duty and value-added tax (VAT) waivers on drugs and other medical consumables to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for Nigerians.
The chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in a statement at its 27th annual general meeting called on the president to also implement the newly increased capitation rates of the National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, and to strengthen the scheme to ensure broader coverage for Nigerians in the pursuit of Universal Health
Coverage.
While speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti over the weekend, its recently elected state chairman, Dr. Oreyemi Ifedayo, indicated that such a policy will not only assist reduce the frequency of untimely deaths among Nigerians, but also provide a more conducive climate for the country’s health practitioners.
Ifedayo said: “The AGM urges the President to ensure the implementation of import duty and VAT waivers on drugs and medical consumables to make healthcare affordable for Nigerians.
“This will undoubtedly help in preventing sudden deaths among Nigerians. Efforts must also be made not only to strengthen the NHIA to cover the majority of Nigerians in the pursuit of Universal Health Coverage but also to ensure the implementation of the newly increased NHIA rates.”
A World Bank report, “Healthcare Costs in Nigeria: Trends and Impact”, reveals a startling fact-the cost of essential drugs in Nigeria has skyrocketed by nearly 50% from 2020 to 2023.
Antimalarial medications, which are critical in Nigeria, have seen price hikes of 50% or more over the last several years. Common antibiotics, such as Amoxicillin, have seen price hikes of up to 60% over the last three years.
While prescriptions for chronic diseases, such as hypertension pharmaceuticals, have risen by an average of 70% between 2020 and 2023; insulin and other diabetic prescriptions have had price increases ranging from 30% to 80% since 2020.