FG urges renewed commitment to strengthen Nigeria’s health system

The federal government has called on stakeholders in the health sector to renew their commitment to building a resilient healthcare system capable of meeting the needs of Nigerians.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made the appeal on Thursday while speaking at the APC Medical Council Health Roundtable Conference held at the State Banquet Hall in Abuja.

Salako said collaboration among federal and state governments, development partners, civil society groups, and healthcare professionals remains critical to achieving a health system where every Nigerian can access quality care without financial hardship.

He described the desired system as one in which health workers are motivated and adequately equipped, facilities have reliable infrastructure such as power and water, data guides decision-making, and communities actively participate in promoting health outcomes.

While acknowledging progress in the sector, the minister said improvements have not kept pace with the needs of Nigeria’s growing population.

According to him, maternal and child mortality rates remain high, many families continue to face financial hardship due to healthcare costs, and skilled health workers are leaving the country in significant numbers.

“Health system resilience is not built overnight. It requires sustained investment, political will, technical excellence, community ownership, and accountability,” he said.

Salako noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is aware of the challenges and has supported coordinated reforms over the past 30 months under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.