UHC: WHO recommends more investment in healthcare
NAN-HG-9
Revitalisation
By Chinenye Offor
Abuja, Feb. 16, 2016 (NAN) The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on the Nigerian Government to make more investment in the healthcare sector to safe lives.
Dr Wondimagegnehu Alemu, the Country Representative of WHO, made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja at the signing of 70 million Euros.
The grant is EU’s support to strengthen health system in Nigeria.
Alemu said that strengthening the health system in Nigeria was key to achieving the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
He said that 20 million Euros, which would be disbursed by the organisation, would help strengthen health system in Nigeria towards achieving the UHC, especially in Anambra and Sokoto states.
According to him, the fund to be disbursed through WHO and UNICEF is geared toward supporting the federal government agenda aimed at providing functional Primary Health Care (PHC) services.
Alemu also said that the fund would help round the clock services to three million children under age five and almost a million pregnant women and lactating mothers, and also to eradicate polio permanently in Nigeria.
The official stated that the objective of WHO was to support the health system’s strengthening effort in Nigeria in order to achieve UHC.
He added that measures put in place would help improve health outcomes through improved data analysis and information dissemination capabilities, health expenditure estimation and reduction in financial barriers to healthcare.
Alemu noted that it would also increase and sustain immunity against polio in polio priority states as well as support integrated efforts to eradicate polio permanently.
He said that the organisation’s objective was also to enhance the health system by building capacity for data analysis and estimation of health expenditure patterns.
“The organisation is very happy because we have been entrusted with 20 million Euros to support the revitalisation particularly in the information evidence generation in two district states and the federal level.
“In addition, we have 15 million Euros to be used for any activities to eradicate polio in two states which came through negotiation from UNICEF, EU and WHO,” he said.
According to him, there is a government mechanism to monitor the implementation and utilisation of resources headed by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, among others, to ensure proper usage.
Alemu, however, assured the Nigerian government and the EU that the purpose of the grant would be achieved as well as making sure that polio eradication success is retained. (NAN)
CSO/AAB/MST
Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola