Nigeria has restated its commitment to improving healthcare across West Africa during the 26th Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Health Ministers’ Meeting in Praia, Cape Verde.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziak Salako, praised Cape Verde’s hospitality and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) for its efforts in health security and regional coordination.
Dr. Salako emphasized this year’s theme, “Community Health Principles and Standards,” saying West Africa must focus on local solutions to reduce high maternal and child deaths, health worker shortages, and the migration of medical professionals.
he said, “We must intensify efforts to ensure universal access to equitable, quality, and community-based health services. ‘
Read Also: ECOWAS: Africa loses $88.6b annually to corruption, illicit financial flows
He highlighted key goals under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA), including: Revamping 17,000 primary healthcare centres by 2027, training 120,000 frontline health workers and Using task-shifting policies to improve services
Dr. Salako also announced $200 million in local funding to fight HIV, TB, and malaria as donor support reduces.
He noted a new Presidential Executive Order to boost local vaccine and drug production, calling it key to health self-reliance in the region.
He promoted Nigeria’s Digital-in-Health Initiative to improve healthcare through technology and praised the government’s move to give local governments financial control as a way to strengthen grassroots healthcare.
Call for Regional Unity
Dr. Salako reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for ECOWAS Vision 2050, urging joint action and investment to improve health systems.
Dr. Salako said, “Nigeria remains firmly committed to supporting regional frameworks that deliver health for all.”
