By Adetokunbo FAKEYE
The Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Isiaq Kunle Salako today, Saturday 17th May, 2025 in far away Geneva, Switzerland, affirmed Nigeria commitment to sustainable health financing in the Commonwealth, while showcasing Nigeria’s activities in the health sector to the Commonwealth health ministers.
Salako, in his address at the 37th Commonwealth Minister of Health held at the HIilton Hotel and Resort, Geneva, Switzerland said, “The current administration in my country under His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR is treating health as an urgent matter of human right for all Nigerians. The Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) – an essential part of the Renewed Hope Agenda is being implemented using the SectorWide Approach (SWAp) which has increased investment in Health with emphasis on improving domestic financing, Improved population health outcome, Unlocking the healthcare values chains and investing in health security.
“We have increased infrastructural investment in the tertiary health facilities, revitalizing our primary healthcare facilities in the country in conjunction with the subnational governments in Nigeria.
“We have introduced routine HPV vaccination for girls 9-14 years old and less than 2 years has immunized more than 12 million girls achieving a coverage rate of about 71%. Our routine immunization strategy is being invigorated for improved coverage.
“Our Innovative financing efforts cover increased investment to ring-fence against catastrophic health conditions like cancers, chronic kidney diseases. We are implementing Social Action Fund to empower communities to implement health promotion projects.
“Local manufacturing of essential medicines is on the rise with the presidential initiatives on unlocking the healthcare value chains as more production plants are established and built through overseas partnership with local pharma industries.
“Nigeria is putting mechanisms in place for local production of insecticide treated nets, Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), Anti Retroval Drugs, RDTs and in the process of vaccine production. We are increasing the penetration of digital technology in our health system through the Nigeria Digital in Health Initiative.
“Nigeria urge the Commonwealth to continue to work in unison for the well being of the members countries and their people as we pledge our continuing support for sustainable health financing in the Commonwealth”.
The health minister congratulated the new Secretary General, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey on her assumption of office and wish her well in the service of the Commonwealth.
“We congratulate the Chair of the CHMM, the Kingdom of Lesotho – Hon Selibe Mochoboroane for accepting to serve as our Commonwealth Health Ministers meeting, be assured of our continued support”, he said.
According to Dr. Salako, the theme of the meeting is very apt at this time “Investing in Health: Sustainable Financing for an Equitable Commonwealth”.
“Smart spending for Health is an essential element of sustainable financing and in order to be more cost effective, we advocate for bottom up budgeting, emphasizing primary health care and preventive services, local manufacturing, pool procurement, effective deployment of digital technology and so on”, he said.
