President Bola Tinubu, in his capacity as the newly-appointed African Union Health Champion, emphasized the imperative need for cross-border partnerships to tackle the complex health challenges facing Africa. Speaking at the Ministerial Executive Leadership Programme during the 37th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, President Tinubu underscored the importance of leveraging collective expertise, resources, and private sector involvement.
According to details revealed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu stressed that the continent’s health challenges are too intricate for any single entity to tackle alone. He highlighted the prevalence of infectious diseases, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, workforce shortages, and rising noncommunicable diseases as pressing issues requiring urgent attention.
President Tinubu advocated for a multi-faceted approach involving robust investments in healthcare infrastructure, workforce training, access to essential medicines, and preventive healthcare measures. He emphasized the intrinsic link between health outcomes and socio-economic factors, emphasizing the role of education and equitable access to healthcare services.
Recognizing healthcare professionals as the backbone of any healthcare system, President Tinubu called for government investment in training and creating conducive work environments. He emphasized the importance of community health delivery and empowerment, stressing the need to reach vulnerable populations and address health disparities rooted in systemic injustices.
In Nigeria, President Tinubu highlighted his administration’s efforts to enhance healthcare accessibility, affordability, and quality for all citizens. He outlined the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, aimed at improving health outcomes through a Sector-Wide Approach and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
President Tinubu urged African leaders to commit to concrete actions and policies that drive positive change in healthcare delivery. He emphasized the collective responsibility to build a prosperous, healthier, and more equitable future for all Africans in alignment with Agenda 2063.
President Tinubu’s call for transnational collaboration underscores the importance of concerted efforts to address Africa’s health challenges and pave the way for a brighter future for the continent.