Nigerian First Lady Calls for Sustainable Health Financing
Speaking at the event, which was organized by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Senator Tinubu stressed that Africa’s aspirations for economic growth and social stability would remain unattainable without a robust healthcare system guaranteeing access to essential services. She noted that the continent must address impending funding gaps caused by recent policy changes in the United States by developing homegrown financial solutions.
Sharing Nigeria’s perspective, the First Lady advocated for a health system that provides quality services without imposing financial hardships on citizens. “Africa cannot continue to rely solely on donor funding and foreign aid, which, although helpful, are often unpredictable and unsustainable. Instead, we must develop innovative financing strategies tailored to our unique challenges and circumstances,” she stated.
Highlighting her role as the Global and National Stop TB Champion, Senator Tinubu urged fellow First Ladies to leverage their positions to mobilize resources for healthcare from government bodies, the private sector, and donor agencies. She further called on African governments to commit to the Abuja Declaration by allocating at least 15% of their national budgets to healthcare.
“We must support innovative financing mechanisms and explore sustainable models, such as expanding health insurance coverage, health endowment funds, and investments from the African diaspora. Accountability and transparency must be ensured, as funds allocated to health must be used efficiently and effectively,” she added.
The meeting featured discussions with Presidents and Heads of State from Rwanda, Ethiopia, Botswana, Kenya, Senegal, Zimbabwe, and Barbados, alongside donor agencies and funding partners. Participants unanimously agreed on the urgency of looking inwards for solutions to Africa’s healthcare challenges, including investment in research, medications, technology, workforce development, and most critically, sustainable funding mechanisms.
The High-Level Meeting on Domestic Health Financing, spearheaded by President Paul Kagame, reinforced Africa’s commitment to achieving self-reliant healthcare systems that support the well-being and productivity of its people.
SIGNED
Busola Kukoyi
SSA Media to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Friday, 14th February 2025
No comments