By Joy Odor
Nigeria has expressed its commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and strengthening healthcare system through strategic partnerships, particularly with Brazil’s renowned health system model.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako highlighted this key reforms and achievements under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (HSRII) in his speech at the 2nd Session of the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism in Abuja.
According to Dr. Salako, Key Reforms and Achievements include
– *Primary Healthcare Revitalization*: Over 37 million Nigerians reached as of Q1 2025, improving access to essential healthcare services.
– *Workforce Reforms*: Reduced recruitment bureaucracy, task shifting, and increased training capacity for health professionals, enhancing healthcare delivery
– *Health Insurance Expansion*: Coverage rose by over 15% in one year, with new schemes for vulnerable groups and catastrophic health needs, reducing financial burdens.
– *Value Chain Growth*: 87 local manufacturers benefit from government incentives through the Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Health Value Chain (PVAC), promoting local pharmaceutical production.
– *Global Recognition*: Two Nigerian-made medicines obtained WHO prequalification, a first in West and Central Africa, demonstrating the country’s growing pharmaceutical capabilities.
Proposed Areas of Cooperation with Brazil:
– *Local Pharmaceutical and Vaccine Production*: Joint ventures and policy exchanges to enhance Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry.
– *Research and Development*: Focused on tropical and non-communicable diseases, leveraging Brazil’s expertise to address Nigeria’s health challenges.
– *Training and Workforce Development*: Exchange programs for Nigerian health professionals to enhance skills and knowledge.
– *Epidemiological Surveillance & Disease Control*: Emulating Brazil’s vector control and infectious disease strategies to strengthen Nigeria’s health security.
– *Formal Agreements*: Establishment of a Nigeria-Brazil Health Cooperation Framework and Working Group with a Five-Year Joint Action Plan.
