Abstract
The Nigeria Health Act was implemented in 2014, following15 years of advocacy and stakeholder engagement efforts that spanned across 4 election cycles. The Act makes provision for significant reform in Nigerian healthcare and sets out a new structure for the health systems across federal, state and local government levels. Its overarching objective is the provision of universal health coverage (UHC). To achieve UHC, sections of the Act sets contain provisions for health financing mechanisms, governance structures, primary healthcare system and a healthcare benefits package to improve the quality and availability of health services and establish an affordable healthcare insurance system. The Act provides a framework for improved funding and regulations regarding universal access to health care . The Case Study outlines key milestones leading up to the passage of the Act by the National Assembly from a historical scope. . It documents the process of change from the inception of the Bill in 2000, its passage into law in 2014 and progress achieved so far in the implementation of the Act up until 2017. This report, guided by the principles of political economy analysis, identifies enabling factors as well as challenges faced in the passage of the Act, it also notes difficulties experienced so far in implementing the Actand interests are shaping the reform process and what lessons can be learned to inform future attempts at public sector reform in Nigeria and elsewhere. It also looks at subnational adoption and implementation of the Act and the fiscal and other challenges that exist at the State level.
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Keywords
Nigeria Health Act, Universal Health Coverage,
Focus Area(s): Healthcare, Universal Health Coverage
Country of Reform: Nigeria
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