NAFDAC, NHIA Partner to Enhance Access to Quality Healthcare for Nigerians

DG NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye welcoming the Director General of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri to her Office 

..... As NAFDAC expresses readiness to collaborate with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to improve access to quality medicines in hospitals across the country.

..... NAFDAC boss expresses concern over the challenges Nigerians face in accessing quality healthcare services, particularly those covered under the NHIA scheme.

Dr. Ohiri, DG NHIA commends Prof. Adeyeye for her leadership and dedication to safeguarding public health through the regulation of medicines and other products. 

.... Notes "that effective healthcare delivery requires strong synergy between regulatory bodies and service providers."

In alignment with the Presidential directive aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage for all Nigerians, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to improve access to quality medicines in hospitals across the country.

This development is part of the renewed drive to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, DG NAFDAC

Making this known on Thursday in Abuja is the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, while playing host to her counterpart at the NHIA, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, who was on a courtesy visit to her office.

In her welcome address, Prof. Adeyeye underscored the importance of involving both NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) in the procurement processes of medicines. According to her, such collaboration is critical to curbing the circulation of counterfeit and expired drugs in healthcare facilities and ensuring that Nigerians have access to safe, effective, and high-quality medicines.

She further highlighted the regulatory roles of NAFDAC and PCN, noting that their responsibilities extend to monitoring compliance, sanctioning defaulters, revoking licenses, and, where necessary, shutting down pharmaceutical companies that fail to adhere to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.

The NAFDAC boss also expressed concern over the challenges Nigerians face in accessing quality healthcare services, particularly those covered under the NHIA scheme. She described the experiences of many patients as difficult and, at times, traumatic.

Prof. Adeyeye, while reaffirming the agency’s commitment, pledged that NAFDAC would continue to strengthen partnerships with relevant government agencies to ensure the availability of quality medicines and alleviate the burden faced by citizens in accessing healthcare, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, DG NHIA 

In his remarks, the Director-General of NHIA, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, commended Prof. Adeyeye for her leadership and dedication to safeguarding public health through the regulation of medicines and other products. He noted that effective healthcare delivery requires strong synergy between regulatory bodies and service providers.

Dr. Ohiri explained that the purpose of his visit was to review the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NHIA and NAFDAC, strengthen institutional collaboration, and discuss ongoing reforms aimed at improving healthcare access and advancing the medicines supply initiative.

He also highlighted the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund as a key initiative designed to expand health insurance coverage and address pressing concerns of citizens. He appreciated Prof. Adeyeye for identifying challenges faced by patients and assured that the ongoing reforms within NHIA would address most of these issues.

Pictures from the visit