President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the 36 governors will today ( Monday) sign an agreement that will reform the health sector.
The health renewal pact, involving some international partners, is the climax of this year’s world Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day
The partners include the World Health Organisation (WHO), the CEOs of GAVI, the Global Fund Against Tuberculosis and Malaria and Bill and Melinda Gates.
According to some documents obtained by our correspondent, the pact has been designed for “transformational sector-wide approach to improve health outcomes”.
The agreement will be witnessed by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus.
One of the documents reads in part: “| am pleased to invite you to the commemoration of World UHC Day and the unveiling of a Health Sector Renewal Compact, between the Federal Government and all the 36 state governors of the federation.
“This event, which will be hosted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will have in attendance the Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the CEOs of GAVI and the Global Fund Against Tuberculosis and Malaria as well as the President of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
“The highlight of this year’s event in Nigeria is the signing of a Health Renewal Compact by the Federal and State governments as well as development partners, to actualise the transformational sector-wide approach to improve health outcomes, as approved by Mr. President in October 2023.”
Another document gave insights into the new initiative to save the health sector.
It says: “In line with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we would like to respectfully invite the governors to the commemoration of the World UHC Day and unveiling of a Health Sector Renewal Compact, between the Federal Government and all the 36 State Governors of the Federation, in Abuja.
“We are expecting to have global heath leaders to join us in Abuja, including the Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who will come from Geneva Switzerland.”
“UHC Day is officially designated by the United Nations every 12th of December to celebrate global progress towards health for all and raise awareness on the need for strong and resilient health systems in achieving UHC.
“The theme for 2023 UHC Day is ‘Health for all: Time for action’. The theme emphasizes the need for immediate and tangible steps to back the 2023 political declaration on UHC.”
A government official, who pleaded for anonymity said the pact may lead to an overhaul of the nation’s health sector.
The official said: “The President is determined to avert the rot in the health sector. His interface with international partners has brought goodwill to the country.
“Tinubu is securing the buy-in of the governors and the nation will be better for it.”
