…Minister unveils 2025 National Health Facility Survey
By AGATHA N Uju, Correspondent, Abuja
The Federal government has reassured of its commitment to the health and wellbeing of all Nigerians, saying that through the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration government has placed health at the centre of national development.
Speaking during a Ministerial Press briefing as part of activities marking the commemoration of 2026 World Health Day, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako made the assertion on Tuesday in Abuja.
The First Mail newspaper reports that the World Health Day is observed globally on April 7, yearly, to mark the anniversary of the establishment of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1948, and also to reflect on the health challenges confronting humanity and to renew collective commitment to improving the well-being of all people.
Dr. Salako highlights this year’s theme: “Together for Health: Stand with Science,” describing it as both timely and profound as it calls on governments, scientists, health professionals, and communities to ensure that health policies and decisions are guided by evidence, research, and scientific collaboration.
The minister added that the theme also highlights the critical importance of science-driven health systems, emphasising the need to rebuild trust in science and evidence-based policy making and ensure that health decisions are guided by data, knowledge, and collective responsibility, stressing that Science has always been the foundation of public health progress.
“From vaccines that prevent deadly diseases to innovations in diagnostics, various pharmaceuticals including precision medicines, and digital health systems, scientific discovery continues to save millions of lives each year. In Nigeria, our commitment is to ensure that policies and interventions are driven by credible data and evidence.”
Another highlights according to Salako is the importance of the One Health approach, which Nigeria has fully embraced in recognising the interconnectedness of human, animal health and environmental health, assuring that Federal Government will continue to strengthen collaboration between health, agriculture, environment, and research institutions to ensure that emerging health threats are detected early and addressed effectively.
Speaking further the minister said Nigeria has deeply appreciated the enduring partnership with the WHO which over the years supported the nation in strengthening disease surveillance and emergency response systems, expanding immunisation coverage, combating infectious diseases, improving maternal and child health, and building national health capacity, maintaining that the collaboration has helped to improve health outcomes for millions of Nigerians and remains a cornerstone of our public health progress.
Salako said Nigeria’s health sector like many health system around the world, continues to face several longstanding structural challenges that require sustained and coordinated action, stating that these challenges are well recognised, and the government of Nigeria remains firmly committed to addressing them through deliberate reforms, strategic investments, and strengthened partnerships under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
He said ” We are clear in our vision for the country’s health sector: every Nigerian, regardless of income level, geographic location, or social status, should have access to quality healthcare services when they need them, without suffering financial hardship. Healthcare should not depend on a person’s ability to pay, but be accessible to all and available at the point of need as a fundamental right of citizenship”.
He pointed out that in the last three years of President Tinubu- led admnistration, progress is being made adding that the health ministry continues to implement transformative reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s health system and expanding access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians.
He said the President is firmly committed to building a more responsive, equitable, and resilient health system capable of meeting the health needs of both present and future generations.
According to Salako, central to these reforms is the strengthening of primary healthcare as the foundation of the health system, with a focus on expanding coverage of essential health services and improving access to routine immunisation across communities, announcing that evidence shows that utilisation of primary healthcare services has increased significantly in recent years, rising from approximately 10 million visits in early 2024 to about 45 million visits by mid-2025, reflecting renewed public confidence in the system.
The Minister further noted that immunisation which remains one of the most powerful tools available to protect children from preventable diseases has also recorded progress with over 14 millions girls (9 -14 years) have been reached with the HPV vaccine while the measels rubbela vaccine has reached over 102 million children 9months to 15 years representing about 99% coverage.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom S. described the event as a reminder that health is the foundation of national development, economic productivity, social stability and human dignity.
