Nigeria’s Health Minister seals billion-dollar deals, averts strikes in one week

DDM News

(DDM) – Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has wrapped up a high-impact week marked by global health diplomacy, major funding milestones, and critical negotiations aimed at preventing nationwide healthcare strikes.

According to updates shared by his media team, Dr. Alausa began the week by strengthening collaboration with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), focusing on community health strategies that could enhance disease surveillance and primary healthcare delivery across the continent.

In Addis Ababa, he delivered a keynote address at the Continental Community Health Workers (CHW) Consultation, where he called for stronger African unity in tackling health challenges. His speech emphasized the role of community health workers in bridging the gap between rural populations and formal healthcare systems.

On the technology front, Dr. Alausa met with executives from Mindray Medical, a leading global manufacturer of medical devices, to explore the introduction of advanced healthcare technologies into Nigeria’s public hospitals.

This aligns with the ministry’s broader agenda to digitize health services and modernize medical equipment.

The Minister also took part in the Business Day Health Conference, where he spotlighted over $1 billion mobilized for health system strengthening, funds intended to boost infrastructure, improve supply chains, and support healthcare workforce training.

At the Dental Technologists Summit, he urged innovation in oral healthcare delivery, stressing that Nigeria must not lag behind in integrating modern techniques and technology into dental practice.

In a major industrial relations breakthrough, Dr. Alausa chaired crucial negotiations with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

The talks aimed to avert imminent strikes that could have crippled healthcare services nationwide.

He further announced a new partnership with The Global Health Network to expand Nigeria’s health research capacity, allowing local scientists greater access to international funding, training, and data resources.

Observers note that the Minister’s engagements reflect a balance between global advocacy and domestic problem-solving , from representing Nigeria on international platforms to addressing urgent labor disputes at home.

The Ministry of Health says these activities are part of a broader reform agenda to achieve universal health coverage by 2030.

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