The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, expressed concern that developing countries like Nigeria are losing highly trained health professionals to developed countries that did not invest in their education.
Speaking on Tuesday at the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland, Prof Pate noted that half of the world’s population lacks access to basic health care.
The 77th WHA, themed “All for Health, Health for All,” is taking place from 27 May to 1 June, 2024.
In a speech shared on his X handle, the minister stated that the theme for this year’s WHA aligns with Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which aims to save lives, alleviate suffering, and ensure health for all Nigerians.
He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in health systems worldwide, both in developed and developing nations, and has prompted countries to reconsider the link between access to health and social justice.
“As the world emerges from the pandemic, we would have thought that the sobering lessons of the pandemic reignite our determination to build political will, reinforce global solidarity, refocus on addressing global inequities, and invest in the global commons,” he said.
“As no country can be an island in this hyperconnected world, facing serious threats from infectious diseases, climate change, and leadership dysfunction perpetuating devastating conflicts in too many regions, in parts of Africa, in the Middle East, and even in Europe. The gap between rhetoric and action cannot be louder at the global level. We cannot solve injustices with more injustice.“
The minister pointed out that half of the world’s population is experiencing “health poverty,” characterized by lack of access to and affordability of basic health care, including immunization, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health services.
He added that the substantial progress made in combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria is now appearing fragile.
He said: “Many health systems remain weak and developing countries like Nigeria continue to lose their highly trained health professionals to the developed countries who did not invest in their first professional education.
“All these point to the continuing need to re-examine deeply the global health compact between our countries. To ask the legitimate questions of whether the global health architecture is still fit for purpose and whether we have the political will to reform it for a future of greater uncertainties.“
Prof Pate stated that Nigeria is committed to rebuilding its national health system and the country is enhancing governance, strengthening public health capacities, and improving healthcare value chains.
He noted that efforts include increasing domestic financing, expanding primary health care and financial protection for the vulnerable, retraining and increasing health worker quotas, stimulating local production of health commodities, and bolstering disease prevention and control.
He urge international technical and financing health partners to match Nigeria’s commitments and align with its priorities by increasingly utilizing national systems that are more sustainable and responsive to local needs.
“We see a strong Nigerian health system as integral to regional health security in Africa and global health security.
“Health is not a zero-sum game. As we deliberate during this assembly, let us be guided by empathy, wisdom, and a shared vision, for a safer, healthier, and more equitable world,” he said.