Health challenges:WHO advises African countries to invest in healthcare systems

By Our Correspondent

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised African countries to invest in their healthcare systems in order to address health challenges of citizens.

Dr  Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting Regional Director of the organisation, Africa Region, gave the advice in Abuja on Friday during his first official visit to Nigeria, two weeks after assuming office.

According to him, his visit aimes to assess the impact of WHO’s support for the Nigerian government and also to strengthen collaboration on health reforms.

Ihekweazu said WHO would continue to stand with member states to ensure that they were prepared for any health challenges that may arise.

“There is need for African nations to build stronger health systems to tackle emerging health threats and ensure sustainable healthcare delivery.

“African countries must rise, take responsibility and invest in their healthcare systems.

“We will continue to stand with our member states to ensure we are prepared for any health challenges that arise,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria, as WHO’s largest country programme on the continent, plays a critical role in shaping health interventions in Africa.

“So it is appropriate for me to come to Nigeria in my second week in office to understand in much more detail the great work our team is doing here in support of the Federal Government,” he said.

Ihekweazu noted that global economic challenges had made donor funding less reliable, making it necessary for African countries to rethink their healthcare financing strategies.

“Through every crisis, there are opportunities. Many donors are facing financial constraints, and this is an opportunity for African countries to take more responsibility for the health of their citizens.

“WHO, as a member state organisation, is best placed to support this progress,” he said.

Ihekweazu commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, for his proactive approach, describing him as a leader who is pushing the boundaries and taking ownership and responsibility.

He noted that while Africa faces major healthcare challenges, including workforce shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and financial constraints, the continent also had enormous potential.

According to him, the governments needs to prioritise health sector investments to integrate more healthcare workers into the system.

On the recent unknown disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) he said WHO was actively working to prevent its spread.

“Every day, there are emerging health threats. In the DRC, like in every other country, national health institutions such as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are responsible for early detection and response.

“WHO already has a team on ground, and we released our initial report on Thursday, March 27.

“Our responsibility is to support countries in ensuring they have the capabilities, resources, and expertise to manage outbreaks effectively,” he said.

He said Nigeria had successfully eliminated wild poliovirus in 2020, but there were still challenge posed by variant two polio, which remained in circulation in some northern states.

“Polio has been a challenge for us in Nigeria. We worked very hard over the years to eliminate the wild poliovirus, and we are proud of the progress we made.

“Today, we still have variant two polio circulating in some states in the North-West,” he said.

Ihekweazu commended the efforts of Nigeria’s health workers and government officials in tackling the outbreak and assured that WHO would continue to provide technical and logistical support.

“Our role is to mobilise ourselves again and get ahead of this. I am really proud of the efforts the minister and the governors in the affected states are making, and I assured them of WHO’s full support,” he said.(https:newsatlarge.ng)