Sustainable development goals and universal health coverage: issues and options for sustainable health financing in Nigeria

Abstract

The attainment of the Post-2015 health agenda require that health financing options are develop within the macroeconomic, socio-cultural and political context of each country. Therefore, health financing mechanisms that separate utilization from direct payment is essential. However, each health financing option has limitation that can endanger the achievement of the set Post-2015 health objectives. The study carries out an exploratory analysis of the viability of general tax, out-of-pocket expenditure and insurance financed health system in Nigeria. The analysis show that insurance financed health system can guarantee universal health coverage irrespective of individuals‟ social-economic strata. Hence, universal health coverage can be pursued through the expansion of health insurance in Nigeria.

Keywords: Sustainable development goals, universal health coverage, health financing

JEL Classification: I13 I19