The Healthcare Federation of Nigeria has charged the Federal Government to create incentives for local pharmaceutical manufacturing, improve access to healthcare financing and adopt sustainable energy solutions for hospitals.
A statement on Sunday after the foundation’s initiative titled ‘Health Walk and Blood Donor Drive’ in its efforts to donate blood to the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service as part of activities marking its 10th anniversary, said, “Universal healthcare can only be achieved when all stakeholders, government, private sector, and civil society, work together strategically. We must also explore innovative financing models and local production of essential medical supplies.”
According to HFN, the initiative which saw HFN members on Saturday, walk from the National Museum in Onikan, Lagos, to under Falomo Bridge, was to raise awareness about healthcare and voluntary blood donation.
At the event, HFN Pioneer president and Managing Director of JNC International, Mrs. Claire Omashaye, emphasised the significance of blood donation in saving lives.
“Blood has no substitute. No lab can manufacture it. That’s why we need to realise our collective responsibility to donate voluntarily and save lives. You never know, you or a loved one might need it one day,” Omashaye said.
Omashaye noted that HFN has made remarkable progress in the past decade, influencing key healthcare policies, including the National Health Act and the Cancer Health Fund, which provides treatment for indigent cancer patients.
“From 40 of us coming together with a vision to unify the private healthcare sector’s voice, to now having a seat at the table in policy discussions, we have made a significant impact. We must continue to advocate for quality healthcare and unlock the private sector’s full potential,” she said.
On the decision to mark the milestone with a blood donation drive, Omashaye stated: “When you give blood, you give life. This is our way of giving back to the community, in partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service and other stakeholders. Collaboration is key government alone cannot do it all.”
HFN’s incoming president, Njide Ndili, reiterated the federation’s commitment to strengthening private-public partnerships and leveraging technology to enhance healthcare access.
“Over the last 10 years, we’ve moved from being outside the compound to sitting at the table with the government. Now, we must build on these successes, supporting hospitals, engaging the diaspora, and ensuring policies that enable the private sector to thrive.”
Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service Representative, Tope Balogun, highlighted the importance of voluntary blood donation.
“HFN understands that donating blood saves lives. We follow a strict process, pre-donation counseling, health checks, donation, and post-donation screening, to ensure the safety of both donors and recipients,” Balogun said.
He explained that after collection, the blood is processed into red cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets, and screened for infections before being made available in blood banks for emergency use.
HFN plans to expand its advocacy across Nigeria’s 36 states and strengthen collaborations within the West African and African healthcare sectors.
The event ended with donors receiving souvenirs in appreciation of their contribution to saving lives.
