Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a comprehensive national strategy aimed at revamping brain and spine healthcare across Nigeria.
Speaking at the inaugural Africa Neurological Health Summit 2025 in Abuja on Tuesday, Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, represented by Dr. Ahmed Yakasai emphasised the urgency of action.
“This summit must not be a talk shop. We must use it to accelerate policy implementation that brings real solutions to patients and families living with neurological conditions,” she said.
The new plan aligns with the WHO-IGAP goals (2022–2031) and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Health Agenda.
Dr. Anas outlined a five-pillar reform that includes a National Neurological Health Framework, workforce and infrastructure development, expanded health financing through a neurology benefit under NHIS, promotion of digital tools like tele-neurology, and advocacy to ensure brain health equity.
“The government will introduce standardized care protocols, invest in specialists, and reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients,” she added.
As part of this rollout, three new neurological centres have already been commissioned in Kano, Port Harcourt, and Maiduguri, each equipped to handle cases like epilepsy and stroke.
Calling for broad partnerships, Dr. Anas appealed to state governments, civil society, and global donors to invest in neurological care and awareness.
“This is the dawn of a truly intentional and inclusive approach to brain and spine health in Nigeria,” she said, stressing the need for measurable results over the next decade.
Reaffirming support, Dr. Mya Ngon of WHO Nigeria said, “At WHO, we would like to recommit ourselves to working with the Federal Ministry of Health and all key stakeholders to scale up interventions.”
She expressed hope that the summit would yield practical, cross-sectoral solutions to address the growing burden of neurological disorders in Africa.
