Financial and Health Reforms: A strategic Management Approach to Sustainable Health Care Delivery in Nigeria

Abstract

Financial and health reforms are discussed within the context and challenges in a complex and pluralistic Nigerian society. These major reforms are integrated and directed at health financing; with the application of strategic management principles to enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of the health service delivery. Health financing mechanisms used by some developed countries are featured. Financing mechanisms currently used in Nigeria are mainly user fees and social health insurance schemes, which benefit mainly people in the formal sector, with a vast majority of the people in the informal sector left out. Health gains and equity in distribution and use of government expenditure on health tend to elude the poor in rural and urban areas. Implementation should build on the platform of existing systems, structures and human resources in the three tiers of government; with strategies well adapted to drive forward the innovative activities and subsequent outcome measures. An integrative financial and health reforms model was proposed to maximize the strategic management thrust for achieving a more efficient and sustainable health care delivery in Nigeria.