Increasing domestic health financing, industrialization, and improved health outcomes, will be topmost on the agenda of the Tinubu administration in the health sector, according to Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima.
The Vice President stated this on Tuesday when a delegation from the Global Health Partners – the Global Fund, US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), and the US President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa.
The Vice President who restated the commitment of the Tinubu administration to repositioning Nigeria’s healthcare system, pledged the President’s political support to improve health outcomes for all Nigerians; increased domestic financing for health; and promoting health industrialization.
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate said the visit of the global health partners was to take stock of the progress made so far and reassure the Tinubu administration of their commitment to the efforts to combat HIV AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, among others.
On his part, the US Global AIDS Coordinator, Amb. John Nkengasong said the visit, which coincided 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 and direction of the Tinubu administration for the health sector.
In separate remarks, Peter Sands of the Global Fund and David Walton of the President’s Malaria Initiative, commended the Federal Government for its efforts towards combating Malaria, HIV AIDS and Tuberculosis and urged all stakeholders to sustain the momentum especially in the bid to achieve the 2030 target of eradicating HIV AIDS in Nigeria.
All the partners at the meeting pledged their support and commitment to work with the Tinubu administration to deliver on its mandate and vision for the health sector. Other dignitaries at the meeting were the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Gambo Aliyu; US Consul General in Lagos, Will Stevens and the WHO Country Rep, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, among others.