The Global Surgery Policy Unit hosted a public lecture on the future of the Nigerian health system. Mahmuda Mamman, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health of Nigeria, discussed the many different challenges and opportunities.
As a fast-developing country with a population of over 200 million people, Nigeria faces numerous health challenges, from inadequate funding to limited access to essential services. However, there are key opportunities for improvement including implementing the recently enacted National Health Insurance Act, investing in health research, strengthening the primary health care system, and improving governance and accountability.
Mr Mamman's extensive experience in public health and policy development uniquely positions him to provide insights on the current state of the Nigerian health system and how to address these challenges and opportunities. He will discuss innovative approaches such as technology and public-private partnerships that can help overcome barriers to healthcare access and delivery in Nigeria.
Meet our speaker and chair
Mahmuda Mamman is the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health of Nigeria. Mr Mamman holds a B.Sc in Political Science from the University of Maiduguri. He started his Civil Service career in May 1992 and rose through promotion to the position of Director. In the course of his career, he served in various Ministries including the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Health, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ministry of Defence, Federal Ministry of Transport and the Federal Ministry of Power.
Rocco Friebel is a trained health economist, Assistant Professor of Health Policy, Co-Director of the Global Surgery Policy Unit, Deputy Director of LSE Health, and Programme Director of the Executive MSc in Healthcare Decision-Making in collaboration with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. He is specialised on the economics of health system delivery and the evaluation of complex interventions aimed at improving quality of care. Dr Friebel is a member of several advisory groups, a Board Member of Health Economics, Policy, and Law, member of the Steering Committee of the European Health Policy Group, and founder and host of LSE’s HealthTalks podcast series.
Short description of the Unit
The unit is a unique and strategic collaboration between LSE & the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England). Established to advance global public health, surgical, obstetric and anaesthesia care, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries, the goal of the GSPU is to strengthen and contribute to the evidence-base for global surgical care through policy research and dialogue, capacity-building partnerships and advocacy initiatives aimed at informing decision-makers and empowering communities.
Twitter hashtag
#LSENigeriaHealth