The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has said that World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the sum of 178 million US dollars in support of Nigeria health sector. The amount convers the WHO’s budgeted work plan and activities under the country’s office selected output for 2018 to 2019.
The Minister made this known during the joint approval ceremony of the WHO biennium budget in Abuja. At the event, Adewole signed on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria while the WHO Country Representative, Dr. wondi Alemu signed for the World Health Organization.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Adewole who appreciated the WHO for her long standing support for the Nigerian health sector said that the joint approval initiative was an attestation to the unwavering commitment and support by WHO which would help in strengthening the health system in Nigeria.
Adewole said that about 66 per cent of the approved amount would be committed to Polio eradication which was quite significant. He stressed that the funds would also go a long way in helping the country maintain surveillance on the virus until the country was eventually certified a polio free country.
“What is also of interest is that quite a lot of these resources would go into communicable diseases and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD’s). We will also ensure that part of the money is used to improve maternal and child health” Adewole informed.
Earlier, Dr. Alemu explained that while $127 million was earmarked for Polio eradication, $30 million was allocated to communicable diseases such as Malaria, TB and Neglected tropical Diseases. $4 million went to Non-communicable diseases while $8.5 million was for maternal and child health. “Revitalization of Primary Healthcare centers and Emergency services would also benefit from the budget” Dr. Alemu added.
Original source: Government of Nigeria
Published on 6 March 2018
