Finance and healthcare experts have called for the utilisation of Islamic financing as an alternative funding source for primary healthcare in Nigeria.
They made the call yesterday in Abuja during a one-day international summit organised by the Africa Islamic Economic Foundation and the Duke Logistics and Consult Limited with the support of the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC).
The summit brought together, participants from the Islamic Development Bank, academics, the business community and technology firms on telemedicine, among others.
It was themed ‘Harnessing Innovative Sources of Financing Primary Healthcare Infrastructural Development in Nigeria.’
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A former Kano State governor, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, who chaired the summit, said that investing in digital health technology through the instrument of Islamic financing would not only bridge the gaps in healthcare delivery in Nigeria but also improve access, reduce geographical barriers, and enhance the quality of healthcare services.
He said it would also seamlessly provide specialised healthcare for Nigerians regardless of their social status.
Dr Stanley Ukpai said there was a need for Nigeria to review its dependence on budget as the only source of healthcare financing.
He called on stakeholders at the summit to find alternative funding sources to diversify the domestic funding sources for health.
The president of the African Islamic Economic Foundation, Malam Baba Yunus Muhammad, said accessibility to quality primary healthcare remained a significant hurdle, especially in remote areas, adding that digital technology and Islamic finance could play a pivotal role in revolutionising healthcare infrastructural development.
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