Two months into the Tinubu administration, the Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its stance on committing to the prioritization of the health sector in the country as a fundamental human right and as a matter of national security with great investment for nation growth, development and sustainable prosperity. Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Salma Anas-Ibrahim, revealed this during the joint WHO-Stakeholders Workshop on the Evaluation of the third WHO-Nigeria Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) (2018-2022) and Development of the fourth WHO-Nigeria Country Cooperation Strategy held in Abuja, Nigeria.
In other words, the joint stakeholders meeting was to evaluate the third CCS that the World Health Organization (WHO) has with Nigeria as well as to develop a new one. Furthermore, Dr. Anas-Ibrahim noted that President Bola Tinubu’s Health Sector Agenda, which is tagged “Healthcare: A Matter of Right and Urgency,” has an action plan for a better Nigeria based on ten foundation pillars. It’s goal is, “Make basic healthcare, education and housing accessible for all” as a key deliverable for Nigerians.
Health sector agenda to position the system for responsiveness.
“The healthcare reforms policy agenda would align with the existing national health plan to improve the health fortunes of the people of Nigeria, through investment in the nine (9) following domains,” the action plan reads in part. Then, it went on to highlight nine key areas, which are: governance and leadership structure; health financing; human resource; equitable, safe, quality delivery service; primary healthcare repositioning and strengthening; secondary and tertiary care facilities restructuring and repurposing; preventive care service provisions; Public health emergency preparedness and response mechanisms; and increased partnership with NGOs.
Dr. Anas-Ibrahim said that the whole perspective of the health sector agenda for this government is to position the system to be more responsive and accountable to the needs of the people that will positively contribute to the overall strategic growth and development of citizens as the greatest asset of the country. WHO country representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, explained that member states have just concluded the 76 worlds health assembly, which sets the pace for accelerating health to achieve the thirteenth general programme of work (GPW13) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target by 2030.
Development of a new CCS is a robust consulting process.
He said that Nigeria, like the rest of the world, has experienced a setback in main health indices including maternal, neonatal and child health, requiring innovative ways of working to close the gap. Dr. Kazadi noted that the WHO in Nigeria has developed and successfully implemented three generations of the CCS. The current CCS were originally developed in 2014, reviewed in 2018 and extended to 2022 to respond to the SDG, in line with the Nigeria Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, the National Health Policy 2016, the National Strategic Health Development Plan II, the UN Sustainable Development Partnership Framework 2018-2022, the WHO Transformation Agenda and the WHO 13″ Program of Work (GPW13).
Dr. Kazadi said that its development usually follows a robust consulting process. “We are engaged with your good sell over the past few months, trying to understand what we have done right, the areas we have not done well and the pointers to the priorities in the coming five years”. He revealed that a recurring challenge during the ongoing review is the need for the organization to be more innovative and energize to a stronger coordination role as a leading authority in health in support of the country and other stakeholders. He stated that the joint workshop will improve outcomes and provide guidance with more robust CCS and galvanize all of the government’s efforts to achieve SDG in Nigeria.
New review remarkable due to the recent political transition.
WHO country representative in Nigeria said that the review is remarkable as it comes during the political transition in the country. It provides the potential for an inclusive policy dialogue and transformation window given the opportunity presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) is a medium-term strategic document that records WHO vision for technical cooperation with a given member state in support of the country’s national health policy, strategy, or plan. It was Introduced in the year 2000 to co-create a strategic agenda which aligns WHO collaboration with other United Nations bodies and development partners at the country level based on identified needs.
Related Link
World Health Organization: Website
FG to prioritize health as human right. – Tinubu’s SA on health said Nigeria committed to health as a matter of urgency. – Express your point of view.
Prioritizing health as a human right is a crucial step towards ensuring that all Nigerians have access to quality healthcare. It’s essential that we view healthcare as a fundamental human right, rather than a privilege. By doing so, we can help to ensure that everyone has access to the care they need to live healthy, productive lives.
The commitment to health as a matter of urgency is a positive step towards achieving this goal. It’s essential that we work together as a society to support this commitment and ensure that it is implemented effectively. This will require a concerted effort from policymakers, healthcare providers, and members of the public.
By prioritizing health as a human right, we can help to create a more equitable society, where everyone has access to the care they need to live healthy, productive lives. This will not only benefit individuals, but it will also benefit society as a whole, by reducing the burden of disease and improving overall health outcomes.
Our President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made the right decision by prioritizing health as human right and considering it as matter of urgency. It will lead to improved medical equipment and services as many will have access to quality health care.
A critical first step in ensuring that all Nigerians have access to high-quality healthcare is to prioritize health as a human right. It’s critical that we consider access to healthcare a basic human right rather Thus, we can contribute to ensuring that everyone has access to the care they require in order to live healthy, fulfilling lives. It will make everyone equal to have right to health
By valuing health as a fundamental human right, our president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have take the right move that will benefit the people making health as human right . Due to the increased availability to high-quality healthcare, medical equipment and services will improve.
Making health a priority is a step in the right direction towards reaching this objective. In order to support this commitment and make sure that it is effectively carried out, it is crucial that we as a society work together in making health as human right for us to have access to quality health
The health sector is a really important sector that needs utmost attention. We should prioritise our health and the government should be at the forefront of it. There should be more investment in the health sector in Nigeria.