The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged Nigerian authorities to reduce reliance on foreign funding for healthcare, emphasising the need for greater self-sufficiency in budget allocations.
Speaking at the Primary Health Care (PHC) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Learning and Dissemination Event in Abuja, UNICEF Deputy Representative, Rowan Khan described the recent freeze on U.S. foreign aid as a stark reminder of Nigeria’s funding vulnerabilities.
“Looking at what is happening globally, we need to really reduce our reliance on others at all levels,” Khan stated. “The U.S. decision has shaken us, but we saw this coming. We cannot forever depend on external support.”
The PHC MoU Health Systems Strengthening Initiative, a three-year partnership between GAVI, the Federal Ministry of Health, and UNICEF, operates in eight states: Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Taraba, and Zamfara to bolster immunisation and essential health services.
Gombe State’s Deputy Governor, Manasseh Jatau, stressed local research investment, urging Nigerian states to develop vaccines using indigenous plants.
“We must take responsibility for our health. If donor support fades, a crisis awaits us,” Jatau warned.
The Country Manager of GAVI, Jesicca Crawford, praised governors for their commitment to PHC sustainability, while the team lead for Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases at the World Health Organisation (WHO), Mya Ngon called for intensified efforts to reduce zero-dose immunisation rates.
The Senior Programme Manager for Immunisation at the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Halima Muhammed, noting that targeted interventions had strengthened PHC systems and governance.
“These efforts have enhanced service delivery, increased demand generation, strengthened disease surveillance, improved governance, optimised human resources, fortified supply chains, and driven high-level advocacy to ensure sustained political commitment to PHC,” she said.
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