World Health Organisation (WHO) has unveiled its fourth medium -term strategic framework otherwise known as Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) for its technical cooperation within the Member States.
WHO Nigeria Country Representative, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, disclosed this at the Policy Dialogue and Town Hall meeting to commemorate the 20224 World Health Day in Abuja.
The theme of World Health Day 2024, “My health, my right”, highlights the urgent need to fulfil the right to health for all.
The CCS in addition to other functions forms the basis for programme budget and operational planning and also facilitates coordination with the United Nations Country Teams and other partners.
According to Mulombo, the fourth CCS strategic priority will include advanced PHC approach and essential health systems capacities for equity and gender equality across all levels to progress Universal Health Coverage.
“Improve Equity’ and quality in health system coverage and financial protection through support to the delivery of integrated people-centered health services across the life- course.
“Address root causes of ill health including determinants and risk factors to tackle the rising burden of NCDs, mental health, violence, and injuries.
“Build institutional capacities for research, local production of health products, information and data systems, and use of digital technologies for health.
“Prevent, mitigate and prepare for emerging risks to health and rapidly detect and sustain an effective response to all emergencies including humanitarian crisis, climate threats, antimicrobial resistance, and other environmental health hazards”.
He informed that the CCS was co-created under the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with all the partners including CSOs to provide support towards implementation of the Nigeria Health Renewal Investment Programme.
He further promised that “WHO will continue to work with the Government and NGOs to ensure that together, we can promote health, provide health, and protect the health of all Nigerians for greater economic development”.
The first WHO Nigeria CCS was developed in 2000 and the fourth being launched had been developed to cover 2023 to 2027.
Also, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate who was represented by Daju, Kachollom, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, assured that there will be changes in the health sectors.
“Now we’re telling you that all that’s going to change maternal and health care will improve. But things for children will be their immunization.
“The coordinating minister was in Sokoto on Saturday, with WR Garvey. And we need to inform you that there’s still a lot to be done.”
“We have what we are assuring that service delivery, quality care, improve health outcomes and My health. My right is the anthem for moving the Federal Ministry of Health forward.” She added.
Earlier, during a health walk organised by the WHO and the Federal Ministry of Health to commemorate 2024 World Health Day, the WHO Nigeria, Country Representative, Dr. Kazadi Molumbo also emphasized that any health deprivation should be treated as a human rights violation.
Molumbo made the call during a health walk organised by the WHO and the Federal Ministry of Health to commemorate 2024 World Health Day in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
He highlighted the founding principles of WHO, established 76 years ago, based on the fundamental human right to health.
“At 76 years ago as part of the United Nations, WHO was created by Member States based on the principle of human rights and based on the fact that health is a fundamental human right and it shouldn’t be a privilege,” he said.
“There have been many agreements, including agreements at the very high level of government and there is an agreement that health is a prerequisite.
Molumbo stressed the importance of acknowledging health as both a means and an outcome, citing achievements such as the eradication of smallpox.
“Today is an opportunity to remember that any health deprivation, should be treated as human rights violation. A child missing vaccination is a human rights violation. A mother dying while giving birth is not acceptable and should be treated as human rights violation,” he said.
