Salako Addresses 37th Commonwealth Ministers of Health meeting In Geneva, Says Improved Domestic Financing Has Unlocked Nigeria’s Healthcare Value Chains
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 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 Sector Wide 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. This was stated on Saturday, May 17, 2025, by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, at the ongoing 37th Commonwealth Ministers of Health meeting in Geneva, Switzerland,
In a release made available to nigerianecho.com.ng from Geneva by Agba’kin Wale Junaid, his Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Salako said smart spending for Health is an essential element of sustainable financing and in order to be more cost effective, he advocated for bottom up budgeting, emphasizing primary health care and preventive services, local manufacturing, pool procurement, effective deployment of digital technology and so on.
“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”, the Minister stated.
He said Nigeria’s 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 Retroviral 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.”
He urged the Commonwealth to continue to work in unison for the well being of the member countries and their people as Nigeria pledges her continuing support for sustainable health financing in the Commonwealth.
