Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, commended the over two decades of global healthcare funding and support that Africa’s most populous country, has been enjoying to date.
Pate acknowledges that for decades, Norway has been a leader in global health and a driving force in reducing unfair health disparities globally.
The health minister raised concerns as quoted in the Altinget report: “Now, as budgets are tight and experts call for a new focus, politicians face a crucial choice: Will Norway continue to lead the way?”
A LOT AT STAKE
“As Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria, my home country, has enormous potential. But like many other African countries, Nigeria has had to deal with major structural challenges that affect the health of its population”, Pate reveals ”
“Almost half of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 15. Only when they are healthy can they go to school, work, and achieve their dreams. Health is the foundation of prosperity—for individuals, communities, and countries. We face many challenges, but our global health partners are helping to reduce health disparities in our region.
“Norway’s commitment has created a strong bond between Norway and Nigeria. Since 2000, the vaccine alliance Gavi has vaccinated over one billion children, and Norway’s contribution alone has helped vaccinate more than 110 million.
“This is estimated to have prevented almost two million deaths. Norwegian leaders across political parties, including Gro Harlem Brundtland, Tore Godal, Dagfinn Høybråten, Jens Stoltenberg, and Erna Solberg, have played a crucial role in Gavi’s success.
“As Prime Minister, Erna Solberg was also central to the establishment of the Global Financing Mechanism for Women, Children, and Youth (GFF).
“In addition, Norway has been a faithful contributor to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, where you have helped save more than 65 million lives. Several of these in Nigeria.
These results show what true leadership can achieve, Pate stated.
