Shettima receives global health partners in Aso Rock

•Says Tinubu will prioritize increased domestic financing, others

By Egena Sunday Ode

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said increasing domestic health financing, industrialization and improved health outcomes will top the agenda of President Tinubu administration in the health sector.
The Vice President stated this on Tuesday when a delegation from the Global Health Partners – the Global Fund, US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), and the US President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa.
The Vice President who restated the commitment of the Tinubu administration to repositioning Nigeria’s healthcare system, pledged the President’s political support to “improve health outcomes for all Nigerians; increased domestic financing for health; and promoting health industrialization.”
According to him, “these are three major commitments I am making on behalf of my boss and be rest assured that our word is our bond.
“I want to assure you that we are determined to catapult the nation to a higher pedestal. We are committed to changing the narrative of inclusive growth, of a Nigeria where every black man will be proud of.”
Continuing, he said “President Tinubu is a man of vision and he has the courage to follow through whatever he believes in, from the appointment of the Minister of Health, there is a clear testimony to the drive, the political commitment of the President and the current leadership towards repositioning the Nigerian nation.
“The Minister of Health is a man of impeccable credentials. He is a celebrated public health practitioner with the experience, exposure and commitment to drive the change we seek in the health sector.”
The Vice President urged the Global Health Partners and other stakeholders in the health sector to support the new leadership in the Health Ministry to actualize the President’s vision for all Nigerians.
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate said the visit of the global health partners was to take stock on the progress made so far and reassure the Tinubu administration of their commitment to the efforts to combat HIV AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, among others.
On his part, the US Global AIDS Coordinator, Amb. John Nkengasong said the visit which coincided with the commemoration of US Government’s 20 years of support to Nigeria’s fight against HIV AIDS through the PEPFAR initiative, has provided opportunity for the partners to appreciate the vision and direction of the Tinubu administration for the health sector.
He commended the administration, noting that the Health Minister’s clarity of vision and commitment to building an inclusive health system for the country, would help the partners align their goals and targets in the various interventions.