By Golok Nanmwa
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday pledged to provide funding to tackle the challenges of Health Sector in the second tenure of his Administration.
“Effective and efficient health Sector results in high life expectancy and efficient and productive workforce which are important in the building of a vibrant national economy.”
The President stated this during the inauguration of 66 nominees of Senior Executive Course 41, 2019 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos Plateau State.
Buhari Represented by Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State said when in 2018 he approved the theme of the study, “Funding Universal Healthcare delivery in Nigeria”, saying the decision was borne out of his administration,s desire to tackle the challenges of health Sector funding in Nigeria.
According to him, successive governments including his administration has done much to address the healthcare challenges.
“As you are aware, one of the cardinal objectives of the economic recovery and growth plans (ERGP), which is a fundamental policy thrust of this administration is investing in the Nigerian People. Pursuant to this objective, I had in January 2019 flagged off the Primary healthcare Revitalization programme with the aim of having 10,000 functional primary healthcare facilities with at least one functional healthcare in every political ward across the country”.
He said the programme is expected to focus more on rural areas with particular attention given to vulnerable populations such as women, children under five years of age and the elderly in collaboration with international development partners.
President Buhari tasked the course participants that the APC administration has high expectations of the nominees of Senior Executive Course 41, 2019 given their critical role in the Health Sector on the national economy.
“It is expected that you will research carefully into this theme in order to proffer policy options that will enable the government to improve health Sector funding”.
Acting Director-General of NIPSS Kuru Mr Jonathan Juma disclosed that 66-course nominees will complete a 10 months duration of the course which participants will be exposed to the highest levels of intellectual and cross-fertilising discourse aimed at sharpening understanding of National issues and widening their perspectives and quality of discernment.
He charges them to prepared themselves for the rigorous demands of the course so that by November 23rd, 2019 they will become proud members of the National Institute.
