14 Nigerians begin 10-month Fellowship in health financing

14 Nigerian health practitioners have commenced a 10-month intensive training programme on performance-based financing (PBF) approach to heath delivery system in the country. The programme which is meant to help sustain the gains of Nigeria State Health Investment Project (NSHIP), is sponsored by Oxford Policy Management Nigeria (OPM). Speaking about the programme, the Director of […]

14 Nigerian health practitioners have commenced a 10-month intensive training programme on performance-based financing (PBF) approach to heath delivery system in the country.

The programme which is meant to help sustain the gains of Nigeria State Health Investment Project (NSHIP), is sponsored by Oxford Policy Management Nigeria (OPM).

Speaking about the programme, the Director of Primary Health Care Systems Development, Dr Oladimeji Olayinka said the aim of the training was to equip the participants with result-based financing approach for health delivery.

He added that the training will facilitate transfer of skills and expertise from expatriates to indigenous health practitioners.

According to Dr Olayinka: “This is the first time this kind of training is taking place in Nigeria. All other persons who have been trained to perform this kind of duty were trained elsewhere.

“When NSHIP programm started five years ago in Nigeria, all the experts managing the programmes were brought in from another countries. So, this is the first time we are now trying to groom Nigerians who would take over the programme and propagate the performance based financing for health delivery system in the country."

On her part, the national project coordinator of NSHIP, Hajia Binta Ismail, said the only way to sustain the gains of NSHIP programme currently being implemented in three states of Adamawa, Nasarawa and Ondo states, was to build local capacity.

“The result based financing has shown a lot of potentials in improving the health delivery system, especially primary health care system. We don’t want to lose the gain recorded so far and the only way we can sustain it is to build our local capacity and ensure transfer of skills and knowledge to our own people and get them on board.”

A Health and Education Advice and Resource Team member, Dr. Adrian Gheorghe said the programme will comprise practical skills, continued mentorship and assessment which will help the fellows become a well-rounded professionals.