By By elizabeth Ugbo
Nigeria has urged African nations to embrace health security sovereignty at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa.
Vice President Kashim Shettima made the call on Friday during a high-level side event. He represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the summit.
The event focused on “Building Africa’s Health Security Sovereignty.” Therefore, leaders discussed reducing dependence on foreign aid.
Africa Must Reduce Health Vulnerability
Shettima stressed that Africa must end reliance on distant supply chains. Instead, he urged countries to build strong, homegrown health systems.
He recalled the COVID-19 pandemic challenges across the continent. During that period, Africa waited for vaccines and oxygen supplies.
However, he insisted that endurance is not a strategy. Rather, leadership must deliberately reduce vulnerability.
“Health security is national security,” Shettima declared. Moreover, he noted that national security strengthens continental security.
He added that viruses and counterfeit medicines ignore borders. Therefore, African nations must act collectively and urgently.
Nigeria’s Health Sector Reforms
Shettima outlined key reforms under President Tinubu’s administration. First, Nigeria is boosting local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
In addition, the government is increasing domestic health financing. It is also strengthening regulatory oversight nationwide.
He highlighted the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative. The programme was launched in December 2023.
Importantly, it secured over $2.2 billion in commitments. It will renovate more than 17,000 primary healthcare centres.
Furthermore, the initiative will train 120,000 frontline health workers. It will also expand health insurance coverage within three years.
Strengthening Disease Control and Regulation
Nigeria is enhancing epidemic intelligence and genomic surveillance. These efforts are coordinated through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
Additionally, regulatory enforcement has intensified under the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
As a result, quality-control laboratories have been upgraded. Authorities are also cracking down on substandard and counterfeit medicines.
Moreover, Nigeria launched the Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Healthcare Value Chain. The programme supports pharmaceutical manufacturers and biotechnology innovators.
Call for Stronger Continental Collaboration
Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, reaffirmed Nigeria’s leadership commitment. He emphasized workforce development and system resilience.
Similarly, Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, praised Nigeria’s approach. He called for better coordination of health investments.
Health ministers from Senegal, Malawi, and Ethiopia also pledged support. They aligned with Nigeria’s push for stronger community health systems.
AU Ministers Set 2030 Community Health Target
At the end of the forum, AU Ministers of Health and Finance urged stronger political commitment. They called for sustained investment in human resources for health.
Specifically, they recommended elevating Human Resources for Health and Community Health Workers as strategic pillars. These pillars support Primary Health Care and Universal Health Coverage.
Importantly, the ministers set a target of two million community health workers by 2030. They also urged increased domestic financing and national health acceleration plans.
Therefore, Africa’s path to health security sovereignty now depends on sustained leadership, collaboration, and investment.
