The Federal Government has called for increased domestic funding for the health sector to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on international donors and sustain gains recorded in healthcare delivery.
The call was made in Abuja during the 25th anniversary celebration of APIN Public Health Initiatives.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, commended APIN for its contributions to public health over the past 25 years. Represented by the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, the minister said APIN had supported the government in providing life-saving HIV treatment to nearly 20 per cent of Nigerians living with the virus across 30 states.
Pate recalled that Nigeria faced a severe HIV epidemic, widespread stigma and a weak healthcare system 25 years ago, but noted that collaboration with local organisations had significantly expanded access to care at the grassroots level.
“Twenty-five years ago, there was resistance to offering HIV services at the primary healthcare level. Today, we are utilising more than 3,000 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across Nigeria to provide safe and effective services,” he said.
Despite the progress made, the minister warned against complacency, noting that the country continues to face significant health challenges, including drug-resistant tuberculosis, a growing burden of non-communicable diseases among people living with HIV, and persistent infections in hard-to-reach communities.
He stressed the need for sustainable domestic financing and stronger partnerships with academia, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to address these challenges and strengthen the health sector.
In his remarks, former President Goodluck Jonathan congratulated APIN on its silver jubilee, describing public health as a critical pillar of national stability and economic development.
Represented by the Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Mrs Ann Iyonu, Jonathan said Nigeria must safeguard the progress achieved in healthcare despite prevailing global economic challenges.
“Nigeria, like many developing nations, is confronting severe economic pressures, rising healthcare costs, donor funding uncertainties and increasing demands on its health system. We cannot afford to lose the health gains we have made over the years,” he said.
He urged APIN and other non-governmental organisations to continue supporting government efforts to improve healthcare delivery, stressing that no nation can achieve sustainable development without a healthy population.
