FG To Retrain 120,000 Health Workers, Establish Ten Oncology Facilities
By Alice Etuka, Abuja
The Federal Government has launched the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA)-Healthcare Expansion Programme which will aid the establishment of ten oncology facilities and the retraining of 120,000 frontline health workers.
Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Chief Ajuri Ngelale announced the development in a statement issued on Friday, August 16, 2024.
According to Ngelale, “the Healthcare Expansion Programme — is a major milestone in the health sector as ten world-class healthcare facilities specializing in oncology and diagnostics will be established across the nation’s six geopolitical zones.
“This expansion builds upon the success of the NSIA’s previous projects, including the NSIA-Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Cancer Centre, the NSIA-Kano Diagnostic Centre, and the NSIA-Umuahia Diagnostic Centre”.
Speaking at the launch of the initiatives on Friday in Bauchi State, President Tinubu, who was represented by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, said the new projects will complement the ongoing expansion of cancer infrastructure and equipment in six federal teaching hospitals.
Tinubu stated that beyond providing essential healthcare to Nigerians, these facilities will reverse the trend of outbound medical tourism.
He also said upon completion of the first phase, the NSIA, through its subsidiary, Medserve, will operate the largest chain of oncology and diagnostic centres in West Africa, with the capacity to train up to 500 clinicians over three years, in addition to enhancing clinical trial and research capabilities.
“I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and the NSIA for their vision, innovation, and dedication to making this programme a reality. Through inter-sectoral partnerships like these, we can achieve significant healthcare and economic outcomes.
“This programme will serve as a blueprint for future healthcare infrastructure projects, propelling us towards our national healthcare goals: saving lives, reducing suffering, and ensuring health for all Nigerians.
“The second initiative, the launch of the retraining of 120,000 frontline health workers, is a personal performance indicator for me as the African Union (AU) Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership. We all know that health workers and other professionals are the backbone of our healthcare system.
“By equipping them with the latest skills and knowledge, we ensure they are well-prepared to meet the evolving healthcare needs of our population,” President Tinubu said.
Underscoring the viability of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), the President affirmed that the nation’s productivity and wealth depend on the vitality of its people, and that basic healthcare is a fundamental human right, as well as a matter of long-term national security.
“The NHSRII has provided strategic direction for our health investments, focusing on critical areas such as maternal and child health, disease prevention, and health system strengthening. The Compact with State Governors and Development Partners, being deployed as the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), has been crucial in advancing our health sector. These frameworks have fostered collaboration, alignment, and accountability, ensuring our collective efforts are harmonized towards achieving our health goals.
“I am proud of the remarkable progress we are making, particularly in unlocking healthcare value chains, restructuring the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to expand access to primary health care by all Nigerians, expanding health insurance, and enhancing health human resources. By making universal health coverage a priority at all levels, this administration aims to foster a vibrant workforce and drive greater economic and social development for the Nigerian people,” the President said.
Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, in response ,thanked the President for his landmark investments in the health sector.
