Health Sector: Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, has said that the Bola Tinubu administration will give priority to improving the health sector and increasing domestic health financing.
The Vice President gave the assurance on Tuesday, September 13, during a visit by the delegation from the Global Health Partners – the Global Fund, the US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), and the US President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) at the presidential Villa.
In a statement by the Director of Information to the Vice-President, Olusola Abiola, Shettima said the administration is determined to build a country every black man will be proud of.
“These are three major commitments I am making on behalf of my boss and be rest assured that our word is our bond.
“I want to assure you that we are determined to catapult the nation to a higher pedestal. We are committed to changing the narrative of inclusive growth, of a Nigeria that every black man will be proud of,” he said.
“President Tinubu is a man of vision and he has the courage to follow through whatever he believes in, from the appointment of the Minister of Health, there is a clear testimony to the drive, the political commitment of the President and the current leadership towards repositioning the Nigerian nation.
“The Minister of Health is a man of impeccable credentials. He is a celebrated public health practitioner with the experience, exposure and commitment to drive the change we seek in the health sector.”
The Vice President asked the Global Health Partners and other stakeholders in the health sector to cooperate with the new Minister of Health, Professor Ali Pate, in realizing the administration’s vision for all Nigerians.
In his comment, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said the visit of the global health partners was to measure the progress of the administration, as well as to reassure the administration of their commitment to fight HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, other diseases in the country.
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While speaking, the US Global AIDS Coordinator, John Nkengasong, said the visit, which occurs simultaneously with the commemoration of the US Government’s 20 years of support to Nigeria’s fight against HIV/AIDS through the PEPFAR initiative, has provided an opportunity for the partners to appreciate the vision of President Tinubu for the health sector.
He also praised the administration, saying that the Health Minister’s clarity of vision and commitment to building an inclusive health system for the country, would be instrumental to a quick development of the country’s health sector. He said Pate’s vision and commitment would allow health partners align their goals and targets in the various interventions.
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In another remark, the Executive Direction of the Global Fund, Peter Sands and the U.S Global Malaria coordinator, David Walton further commended the Federal Government for its efforts towards combating Malaria, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis in the country. They urged all stakeholders to keep up with the vision and drive, especially in achieving the 2030 goal of eradicating HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.