Gladness Gideon
Dr Hassan Garba, Chief Medical Director of Phalycon Clinic in Bauchi, has identified the escalating cost of drugs and medical consumables as a key factor behind the increasing healthcare bills burdening patients across Nigeria.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday, Garba warned that the surging prices were not only straining health financing but also threatening access to essential care, particularly for low-income households.
“Medical services are available, but the cost of care is depriving people of access,” he said.
“The rising prices of consumables and drugs are affecting health outcomes.”
The private medical practitioner urged the Federal Government to implement targeted tax reforms in the health sector, particularly through the removal of levies on health-related items.
“If the Federal Government removes taxes on health-related items, it will lead to better health outcomes in Nigeria,” he stated, emphasising that affordability remains central to achieving universal health coverage.
Residents of Bauchi metropolis echoed Garba’s concerns, lamenting the growing difficulty in accessing affordable treatments.
Alhaji Inuwa Fada, a local resident, described the routine cost of malaria treatment as increasingly unaffordable.
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“We often have malaria, and each time, you spend about N3,000 just on treatment, and that’s without lab tests,” he said. “This is malaria season due to the rains, and many families are struggling.”
Another resident, Mr Bala Musa, highlighted the availability of healthcare services but noted that expensive drugs remained a barrier.
He acknowledged the Bauchi State Government’s drug revolving fund initiative, commending the effort while calling for increased investment to meet rising demand.
“The services are there, but the drugs are expensive. More support is needed to help ordinary citizens,” Musa added.
The call for reforms comes amid broader national discussions on improving health sector efficiency and ensuring equitable access to care across Nigeria.