The picture of the week

Research Symposium, Abuja, Nigeria

Elizabeth Talatu Williams - Sustainable Impact and Development Initiative, Lagos, Nigeria

2025-02-12

 

Throwing it back to last year when I had the privilege of attending the Research Symposium organized by PharmAccess Foundation in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research in Abuja, Nigeria.

The theme of the event, Innovating Healthcare in Nigeria: Connecting Research and Policy for Universal Health Coverage, provided a dynamic platform for insightful discussions on driving transformative change in our healthcare system.

Key takeaways:

• Bridging the research-policy gap is crucial for translating innovations into practical solutions that have a tangible impact on the healthcare sector.
• Innovative healthcare solutions are already making strides in improving access, affordability, and quality of care across Nigeria.
• Universal Health Coverage is essential to ensure every Nigerian can access necessary health services without the burden of financial hardship.

During the symposium, a powerful question was posed to the audience: “How many of you are subscribed to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)?” A handful of hands went up, highlighting the unfortunate reality that even among healthcare professionals, the NHIS has yet to reach its potential. If this is the case for experts, how much more for the general population?

We must intentionally push for national health insurance for all Nigerians—without this, achieving Universal Health Coverage remains a difficult battle.

The discussions and insights from this event have fueled my passion to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s healthcare. I am excited to continue working towards a healthier, more equitable future for all.