Akume: Tinubu’s govt inherited health sector faced with persistent challenges, stagnation

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Akume: Tinubu’s govt inherited health sector faced with persistent challenges, stagnation

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF,Senator George Akume, yesterday, reeled out the achievements of President Bola Tinubu in the health sector since assumption of office , recalling that the president inherited a health sector that had faced persistent challenges, including stagnation in key health indicators.

Akume said Tinubu’s swift interventions left no doubt about the sincerity of his commitment to transforming healthcare in Nigeria.

According to him, recognizing the need for expert-driven policy direction, the president leveraged the foundational work of the Health Transformation Coalition by approving the establishment of the Health Subcommittee within the Presidential Advisory Council, led by Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, who now serves as Special Adviser on Health to him.

The SGF noted that the subcommittee played a pivotal role in shaping the Renewed Hope Health Agenda, a strategic policy direction endorsed by the president to guide healthcare transformation in the country.

He spoke in Abuja,while featuring as a special guest of honour at the 2025 Strategic Health Summit with the theme: ”One Vision, One Future: Uniting Stakeholders for a Healthier Nigeria”, organised by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Health.

The SGF said discussion held at the event which was dedicated to reflect on the remarkable achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in the health sector since assuming office, will highlight the progress made, the key achievements and outline the transformative impact the government aspires to see in the health sector in the years ahead.

Akume reaffirmed government’s commitment to accelerating progress in the coming months and years, ensuring that President Tinubu’s vision of a healthcare system ensures optimal and equitable health care to all Nigerians.

He said:”Mr. President’s dedication to prioritizing health predates his election and assumption of office. During the campaign period, the Health Transformation Coalition (HTC) of Nigeria, an initiative endorsed by Mr. President, was established to raise awareness about the crucial role of health in national development.

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“Through extensive engagements with stakeholders, the coalition developed far-reaching recommendations aimed at unlocking the potential of Nigerians to ensure the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), where no one is left behind.

“These recommendations were echoed in Mr. President’s manifesto, underscoring his administration’s pledge to achieve UHC, in a gender responsive manner.

“Upon assumption of office, Mr. President inherited a health sector that had faced persistent challenges, including stagnation in key health indicators and, in some areas, even regression.

“His swift interventions left no doubt about the sincerity of his commitment to transforming healthcare in Nigeria. Recognizing the need for expert-driven policy direction, he leveraged the foundational work of the Health Transformation Coalition by approving the establishment of the Health Subcommittee within the Presidential Advisory Council, led by Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, who now serves as Special Adviser on Health.

“This subcommittee played a pivotal role in shaping the Renewed Hope Health Agenda, a strategic policy direction endorsed by Mr. President to guide healthcare transformation.

“Mr. President further demonstrated his dedication to health sector reform through strategic leadership appointments. The creation of the Office of the Special Adviser on Health, with Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas as the first appointee, was a historic decision that underscored the significance of healthcare within this administration. Additionally, the appointment of Professor Muhammad Ali Pate as Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare marked another milestone, expanding the Minister’s portfolio to integrate social welfare with healthcare as a critical panacea for development.

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” These appointments reflect Mr. President’s recognition of healthcare as a fundamental driver of national development and his commitment to ensuring that the sector receives the highest level of attention. “

Speaking further, Akume explained that to translate policy aspirations into tangible outcomes, President Tinubu launched the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), diligently proposed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, on December 12, 2023, during the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day commemoration.

“This initiative is structured around four thematic areas: Effective governance, improvement in population health outcomes, unlocking the health sector value chain, and bolstering health sector security. An important outcome of the launch of the NHSRII is the signing of the Health Renewal Compact by Federal, State Governments, and Development Partners, underscoring Mr. President’s commitment to foster collaboration and empower the sub-national authorities as a veritable strategy to achieve UHC and deliver other development goods to grassroots.

“Other deliberate and bold interventions of Mr. President to power the health sector include the establishment of the Presidential Initiative on Unlocking Value Chain (PVAC) in the health sector. This aimed to improve local manufacturing of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare technologies, foster research and innovation, and integrate research and development, manufacturing, distribution, healthcare delivery, and financing among others.

“To facilitate the work of the PVAC, Mr. President also signed an executive order that introduced zero tariffs, excise duties, and VAT on specified machinery, equipment, and raw materials, aiming to create enabling environment, to reduce production costs and enhance our local manufacturers’ competitiveness, “he added.

On her part, the Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, noted the expansion of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, with an additional focus on providing financial risk protection for vulnerable populations, was President Tinubu’s direct demonstration of his concern for indigent persons, women, children, adolescents, the senior citizens (elderly persons) and people with disabilities.

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According to her, “The persistent trend of outward medical tourism coupled with the massive emigration of healthcare workers has greatly limited the capacity of Nigeria’s health system to deliver the needed services for the people. “

She explained that the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration was approved by President Tinubu to curb the “japa” syndrome.”

” In addition, in February 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved the immediate upgrade of 16 health facilities across Nigeria, as well as the establishment of six centers of excellence for cancer care – these are giant strides towards reducing outward medical tourism and attracting in-ward medical tourism.

“The innonvations and new approaches deployed by the Coordinating Minister Ali Pate to ensure the successful implementation of Mr. President’s vision and priorities deserve praise and commendation. In addition to his role in the design and launch of the Presidential initiatives mentioned above, the Coordinating Honourable Minister also launched the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), which aims to enhance coordination, alignment, and efficiency in health policy implementation.

“As we approach the midpoint of this administration’s first term, this Summit provides a timely opportunity to assess the progress made so far, identify existing gaps, and realign strategies to ensure that the vision for a transformed health sector remains on course. Beyond evaluation, this gathering serves as a platform to share experiences, celebrate achievements, and strengthen partnerships among stakeholders, fostering a more resilient and equitable healthcare system in Nigeria, “she said.