The federal government says it is considering new fiscal policy options to mobilise resources for health financing, stressing that investment in people remains the most rewarding dividend for the nation.

Taiwo Oyedele, chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, said this on Thursday in Abuja at the National Health Financing Policy Dialogue.

The dialogue with the theme “Reimagining the Future of Health Financing in Nigeria”, was organised by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and partners.

The dialogue seeks to reimagine financing models that make healthcare more equitable, sustainable, and accessible for all Nigerians.

The event comes at a critical time as African countries grapple with fragile health systems, fiscal pressures, and the realities of donor transitions.

Mr Oyedele outlined a framework that leverages taxation, incentives, and partnerships to drive sustainable healthcare funding.

According to him, statutory contributions such as mandatory health insurance schemes and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) would be strengthened to expand coverage, while earmarked taxes on “sin goods” and carbon emissions can provide dedicated funding for health.

He also recommended tax-deductible donations to encourage philanthropy in the health sector, alongside tariff waivers and zero-rated taxes on health services, equipment, and materials to reduce costs for providers and patients.

“The government is also exploring impact investing and public-private partnerships with concessionary tax rates as a sustainable model to complement public funding,” he added.

He stressed that fiscal policies must go beyond revenue mobilisation to influence healthy behaviours, incentivise businesses in food, nutrition, and wellness, and prepare the health system for future emergencies.

Quoting a popular saying, he remarked: “A healthy man has a thousand wishes; an unhealthy man has only one”.

“Our policy must therefore prioritise prevention, invest in people, and ensure measurable outcomes that can guide future decisions,” Mr Oyedele said.

The chairman noted that data-driven planning and periodic review of fiscal measures would be critical as Nigeria’s demographics and health needs evolved.

Meanwhile, Donald Kaberuka, AU special envoy to Mobilise International Economic Support for the Continental Fight Against COVID-19, highlighted a key lesson from the pandemic.

According to him, when governments, development partners, and the private sector work in genuine solidarity, Africa can overcome any challenge.

Mr Kaberuka added that by pairing sustainable domestic resource mobilisation with targeted international support, the continent could build resilient health systems, reinforce unity, and secure a stronger, self-reliant future for all Africans.

The discussion from the dialogue highlighted how Nigeria and African countries can address persistent gaps in health financing to improve health outcomes for their populations.

Key areas of focus include expanding health insurance coverage, strengthening primary healthcare, promoting domestic and innovative financing, and fostering collaboration across government, the private sector, and civil society.

It also emphasised that evidence-based policies are critical to ensure health resources reach those who need them most, reduce out-of-pocket spending, and build resilient, equitable health systems capable of delivering quality care across Nigeria and the continent.

The National Health Financing Dialogue brought together government officials, legislators, development partners, and civil society to chart strategies for accountable and sustainable health financing.

(NAN)