Dangote pledges support for the National Health Sector Renewal Initiative
Africa’s leading philanthropist, Aliko Dangote, has pledged to support the Federal Government’s National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), which was launched at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday, as part of the events commemorating Universal Health Coverage Day.
Speaking at the multi-stakeholder Health Sector Renewal Compact event, Mrs. Zouera Youssoufou, the Managing Director of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), reiterated the foundation’s dedication to human capital development in Nigeria and expressed support for the new initiative.
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Mrs. Youssoufou stated, “I would like to reiterate the absolute commitment of the Aliko Dangote Foundation to improving health outcomes in our beloved Nigeria. As a Nigerian organisation, this is our home.”
She thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising health and encouraged states to follow suit by releasing their funding promptly. Mrs. Youssoufou emphasised that the new sector-wide approach presents an opportunity to focus on key issues and hold all stakeholders accountable for their commitments.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his speech, urged all Nigerians to support the administration’s drive towards universal health coverage through the newly launched National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative. The President highlighted initiatives such as increased health sector funding in the 2024 appropriation bill as part of the Renewed Hope Health Sector Blueprint.
Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), lauded the initiative as a major boost to Nigeria’s health sector reforms. He emphasised the importance of support from state governments, development partners, and civil society for the initiative’s success.
Dr. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, noted the key role of development partners like the Aliko Dangote Foundation in the success of the new health reform plan. The initiative aims to leverage the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) in partnership with state governments and development partners for better coordination to improve health for all Nigerians.
The comprehensive initiative includes plans to retrain 120,000 frontline health workers, expand health insurance coverage, and double the number of fully functional primary health care centres. Other objectives include establishing a joint coordination and monitoring mechanism aligned with the National Health Act’s objectives.
“The quest to achieve UHC and better health for all Nigerians requires a multi-sector and whole-of-government approach. Further to this, the Nigerian government has articulated NHSRII to advance the nation’s journey towards UHC. The initiative comprises the Basic Healthcare Provision SWAP and the Nigerian Healthcare Industrialization Programme,” said Dr. Muhammad Pate.
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of Jama’atu Nasrul Islam (JNI), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, commended the Federal Government for the initiative. In a significant stride towards universal health coverage in Nigeria, a compact was signed in Abuja by the Federal Government, all 36 state governments, and key development partners.
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, observed on December 12 every year, highlights progress towards equitable and quality healthcare with financial protection for all. The United Nations designated this day to mark the unanimous endorsement of UHC in 2012 as an essential priority for international development, with this year’s theme being “Health for All: Time for Action.”
Dangote pledges support for the National Health Sector Renewal Initiative