GAVI, Nigerian Government Celebrate Successful Healthcare Partnership with Beneficiary States
The Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunization (GAVI) has successfully concluded its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with eight beneficiary states in Nigeria, marking the occasion with a high-profile dissemination program at the Frazer Suites in Abuja. The event underscored the significant achievements recorded through the partnership and reiterated the commitment of beneficiary states to sustaining the program’s impact.
The event featured two sessions—a morning plenary attended by Gombe State’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, and an evening session that brought together deputy governors from Bayelsa, Gombe, Niger, Taraba, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kebbi, and Katsina. Discussions focused on strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system and ensuring the long-term sustainability of interventions initiated under the MOU.
Dr. Jatau lauded GAVI’s contributions, emphasizing the importance of leveraging local resources to improve healthcare access and reduce dependency on expensive imported medicines. He advocated for a more inclusive healthcare approach that involves traditional and religious leaders, as well as civil society organizations, in driving public health goals.
Highlighting the risks of over-reliance on donor interventions, he called for strategic partnerships to reinforce primary healthcare delivery across the beneficiary states. His sentiments were echoed by Bayelsa’s Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewujoka, who spoke on behalf of the other deputy governors, commending GAVI and its partners for their role in enhancing Nigeria’s health infrastructure.
The event also featured remarks from key stakeholders, including Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Muyiwa Aina, who represented the Minister of Health, Dr. Ali Pate. Representatives from UNICEF, WHO, SOLINA, and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum reaffirmed their commitment to supporting state-led initiatives for improved healthcare delivery.
Gombe State’s delegation played a pivotal role, with Commissioner of Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, leading discussions on leadership in health systems strengthening, alongside Dr. Abdulrahman Shuaibu, Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency.
The dissemination program reinforced the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving sustainable healthcare reforms and ensuring continued access to life-saving health services for millions of Nigerians.
