The Federal Government has launched a suite of flagship development programmes to the tune of $1.07Bn, aimed at consolidating Nigeria’s economic recovery, accelerating poverty reduction amongst others.
Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ado Bako on Friday.
Among the initiatives unveiled which constitute parts of the transformative Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) are: the Nigeria Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity- Governance (HOPE-GOV) Program with financial provision of $ 500 million, and the Primary Healthcare Provision Strengthening Program (HOPE-PHC), to be financed with $570 million.
The HOPE-GOV will support the Government of Nigeria to improve governance challenges associated with budget planning and recruitment of teachers for basic healthcare and basic education prioritizing hard to reach areas, and for poor and vulnerable populations; while HOPE PHC will improve service delivery in primary healthcare services using the FG’s Basic Healthcare Provision Fund as the anchor, all aiming towards rapidly improving Nigeria’s human capital outcomes.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, at the official launch of the programmes held at the State House, Abuja, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Professor Taiwo Oyedele, said the initiatives represent a coordinated national strategy designed to ensure that the benefits of Nigeria’s improving economic performance are felt by every citizen.
The President noted that Nigeria’s economy has recorded remarkable progress, with real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth reaching 11.2 per cent, while per capita income in US dollar terms grew by nearly 10 per cent in the previous year, with expectations of sustained growth. He stated that the country’s foreign reserves have also strengthened while inflation has declined significantly from its peak.
According to him, these economic gains are not merely statistical achievements but the foundation for the next phase of national development, focused on improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians, disclosing that 15 million vulnerable households benefited from the expanded social transfer programmes.
In his presentation at the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, rearfirmed the commitment of the Ministry towards achieving the renewed hope health agenda of President Bola Tinubu noting that the health compact signed by government and partners is operationalized through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative(NHSRII) and HOPE -PHC program for results, translating commitment to measurable reforms.
He disclosed that the healthcare Service Renewal Investment Blueprint is built under four pillars which include “effective governance” to improve health outcomes by strengthening regulations, standards and accountability; efficient, equitable and quality health system by improving service delivery and financial protection for all Nigerians.
Other pillars are: unlocking the healthcare value chain to improve local production and strengthen supply chains; Health Security and resilience by improving detection, prevention and response to public health threats.
Enumerating more achievements, Professor Pate further revealed that federal government has delivered a key compact commitments by revitalizing Primary Healthcare Centres, equipping hospitals and expanding emergency medical transport, confirming that 3,026 PHCs facilities have been revitalized nationwide, and 231 Secondary Hospitals received maternal and newborn equipment worth $200, 000 per state.
He announced that 43,417 women and newborns were transported via rural Emergency Services and maternal transport, adding that 42,970 maternal and neonatal CEmONC Services were rendered between October, 2024 to March, 2026. On capacity building and PHCs patronage, the Minister said 78,054 frontline healthcare workers have been trained, and general attendance in Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) facilities shows that 45.5 million visits to PHCs in a quarter have been recorded.
