President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja directed the Federal
Ministries of Health, and Information and Culture, to reinvigorate its
strategies in concert with State governments, to ensure that Nigeria is
finally certified polio free by 2017.
Receiving the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for
Africa, Dr Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti, at the State House, President Buhari
said international partnerships were also needed to sustain Nigeria’s
polio-free status.
‘‘We have not recorded any case of polio in the last two years but we
should not be complacent.
‘‘The breakdown of law and order in the North East has posed challenges to
regular immunization.
‘‘The situation and the condition of children in Internally Displaced
Persons camps around the country is very pathetic.
‘‘But I know that the Federal and State governments in partnership with
international organizations and NGOs are doing so much to provide
healthcare, rebuild infrastructure and facilitate voluntary return of
displaced persons to their communities,’’ he said.
The President told the visiting WHO envoy, who was accompanied by
Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole and the Minister of
State, Dr Osagie Ehanire, that his administration would continue to accord
priority to healthcare through regular funding of public health related
programmes.
Under the Federal Government health intervention programme, the Federal
Ministry of Health will provide free surgery to 10,000 poor and needy
Nigerians who are registered with the National Health Insurance Scheme.
The programme, which will commence on July 18, in 46 health facilities
across the country will also extend free breast and cervical cancer tests
to 18,000 Nigerians and free diabetes and hypertension tests for 500,000
Nigerians.
In her remarks, Dr Moeti commended the Federal Government’s health
programme and pledged continued support of the organization on health
development in Nigeria.