Nigeria Calls For Smarter Health Financing At Commonwealth Ministers’ Meeting
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has urged Commonwealth nations to adopt smarter, more sustainable health financing strategies.
Speaking at the 37th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (CHMM) held on Saturday in Geneva, Switzerland, Dr Salako called for a shift towards bottom-up budgeting that prioritises primary health care, preventive services, local manufacturing, and digital integration.
“Nigeria believes smart spending is central to sustainable health financing,” he told delegates, stressing the need to reorient systems to deliver value and equity.
He highlighted key achievements under the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including over 12 million girls receiving HPV vaccines, revitalisation of primary healthcare centres, expanded tertiary infrastructure, and innovative strategies to tackle costly diseases like cancer and kidney failure.
Dr Salako also noted progress in local pharmaceutical manufacturing, supported by global partnerships, and emphasised the growing role of digital health under the Nigeria Digital in Health Initiative.
Congratulating the new Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, and CHMM Chair, Hon. Selibe Mochoboroane of Lesotho, he reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to equitable health across member nations.
“The Commonwealth must remain united in pursuit of health for all,” he said. “Nigeria is ready to lead and support this charge.”
