From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N10.299 billion for various initiatives aimed at enhancing access to quality health services across Nigeria.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate said the investment reflects the government’s commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and affordability for Nigerians.
He outlined the allocations covering key areas of focus. He said: “We are making steady progress in line with the President’s aspiration to ensure that Nigerians get access to quality and affordable health services”.
Pate said that a significant portion of the approved funds, N997 million, will be dedicated to procuring third-line antiretroviral drugs. This is crucial for supporting HIV treatment, particularly for those resistant to first and second-line treatments.
“The third line antiretroviral drugs are for those who are resistant, and they are putting forth resources, almost N997 million worth of contract to procure the drugs for those who are HIV infected.
“I believe you will understand the importance of this, given the changes in the global health financing and moving towards more domestic financing to allow Nigerians to continue on treatment they require,” he said.
Another major allocation is for the procurement of locally manufactured diabetes diagnostic kits, amounting to ₦2 billion. This initiative not only addresses the growing prevalence of diabetes in Nigeria but also promotes local manufacturing and healthcare value chain development.
The minister said “diabetes is a major issue in our country. It is among the fastest growing segments.
“We have lots of our population suffering from diabetes, and some are not even aware they have diabetes.
“We are having a local company for the first time, one of the first in the continent that will manufacture these diagnostic test kits in Nigeria,” Pate said.
Additionally, he said a medical relief programme would procure antibiotics, antihypertensives and anti diabetic medications worth N4.5 billion, all manufactured by local companies. This effort, he said, aims to lower the cost of the essential medications and support local industries.
Lastly, Pate said FEC also approved N2.1 billion for the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi. This includes the procurement of a mobile x-ray machine and the rehabilitation and equipping of a 64-slice CT scan. “So, the diagnostic services and the clinical care that Nigerians will receive in that hospital will be of the highest quality that we can make it,” he emphasised.
He said the investments were part of broader efforts to transform Nigeria’s healthcare sector, addressing systemic challenges and improving access to quality services.