3 months ago
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President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, a healthcare expansion programme, through which 120,000 frontline health workers would be retrained.
This was contained in a statement by Tinubu’s spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, titled, ‘President Tinubu launches healthcare initiatives; to establish ten oncology and diagnostic facilities and retrain 120,000 health workers on Friday.
Ngelale said the initiative aimed to improve Nigerians’ health and social well-being, drive economic development and position Nigeria as a healthcare hub within Africa.
He stated, “The first initiative – the Healthcare Expansion Programme – is a major milestone in the health sector as 10 world-class healthcare facilities specialising in oncology and diagnostics will be established across the nation’s six geopolitical zones.
“This expansion builds upon the success of the NSIA’s previous projects, including the NSIA-Lagos University Teaching Hospital Cancer Centre, the NSIA-Kano Diagnostic Centre, and the NSIA-Umuahia Diagnostic Centre.”
He said the new projects would complement the ongoing expansion of cancer infrastructure and equipment in six federal teaching hospitals.
According to the statement, the President stated that beyond providing essential healthcare to Nigerians, these facilities would reverse the trend of outbound medical tourism.
He also said upon completion of the first phase, the NSIA, through its subsidiary, Medserve, would operate the largest chain of oncology and diagnostic centres in West Africa.
He said the facility could train up to 500 clinicians over three years, in addition to enhancing clinical trial and research capabilities.
The statement added, “I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and the NSIA for their vision, innovation, and dedication to making this programme a reality.
“Through inter-sectoral partnerships like these, we can achieve significant healthcare and economic outcomes.
“This programme will serve as a blueprint for future healthcare infrastructure projects, propelling us towards our national healthcare goals: saving lives, reducing suffering, and ensuring health for all Nigerians.”
He said the second initiative – the launch of the retraining of 120,000 frontline health workers – was a personal performance indicator for him as the African Union Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership.
He said, “We all know that health workers and other professionals are the backbone of our healthcare system.
“By equipping them with the latest skills and knowledge, we ensure they are well-prepared to meet the evolving healthcare needs of our population.”
Underscoring the viability of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, the President affirmed that the nation’s productivity and wealth depended on the vitality of its people.
He stated that basic healthcare and matters of long-term national security were fundamental human rights, saying, “The NHSRII has provided strategic direction for our health investments, focusing on critical areas such as maternal and child health, disease prevention, and health system strengthening.
“The partnership with State Governors and Development Partners, being deployed as the Sector-Wide Approach, has been crucial in advancing our health sector.
“These frameworks have fostered collaboration, alignment, and accountability, ensuring our collective efforts are harmonized towards achieving our health goals,” said Tinubu.
He said he was proud of the progress made to expand access to primary health care by all Nigerians, expanding health insurance, and enhancing health human resources.
“By making universal health coverage a priority at all levels, this administration aims to foster a vibrant workforce and drive greater economic and social development for the Nigerian people,” he stated.
He emphasised that his administration would continue to prioritise healthcare, enhance preventive measures, and invest in health education while fostering health equity and justice.
On his part, the governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, applauded Tinubu for his landmark investments in the health sector.
“We thank President Bola Tinubu for the giant strides he is making in the health sector.
“Even those of us in the opposition party, we are federalists and appreciate the work and collaboration with Mr President’s team here, with both the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Health, to kick off this impactful project for all Nigerians,” Mohammed said.
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