Abuja – In health summit held yesterday, titled “New Health Agenda for Nigeria,” organized by COVID-19 Transparency and Accountability in Africa (CTAP) in collaboration with Connected Development (CODE) and BudgIT, key stakeholders addressed the critical issue of Nigeria’s high maternal and child mortality rates.
The summit shed light on the country’s alarming statistics, revealing that Nigeria currently accounts for 14 percent of maternal deaths worldwide, with approximately one million children losing their lives each year before reaching their fifth birthday. Pregnancy and delivery-related causes remain among the leading contributors to women’s mortality in Nigeria.
Dr. Salma Anas Ibrahim, the Special Adviser to the President on Health, passionately articulated the administration’s dedication to prioritizing healthcare. She stated, “We have recorded some progress in some health output indicators… However, looking closely at the numbers, health outcomes in Nigeria remain unacceptably poor.”
Dr. Ibrahim emphasized the urgent need for change, stating, “This is a grim situation that demands a departure from the status quo to reduce these untimely and preventable deaths to the absolute minimum.”
Highlighting the administration’s commitment, she unveiled the “Renewed Hope Health Agenda.” This comprehensive healthcare strategy centers on achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as its primary objective. Dr. Ibrahim underscored the potential for health to generate new employment opportunities and stimulate economic and social development within Nigeria, marking it as an essential investment in the nation’s future.
In his remark, the Chief Executive Officer of CODE, Hamzat Lawal, emphasized the imperative of readiness and equitable healthcare access. He stressed, “Emergencies can strike without warning. Preparedness is not a choice but a necessity.”
Lawal called for resource allocation to support operational research, the establishment of healthcare contingency reserves, and the enhancement of incident management capabilities to bolster the nation’s resilience against health crises.
He strongly advocated for inclusivity, transparency, and the fight against corruption within the healthcare sector. “These measures collectively pave the way for a healthcare system that is effective, accountable, and accessible to all,” he said.