The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti has advised the Federal Government to engage development partners in rebuilding health systems in the Northeast of the country.
She gave the advice at the weekend during a two-day working visit to the country.
While commending the government for its emergency response in the zone, she said it was time to involve development focused partners, and transit from emergency to the phase of rebuilding.
“We are in a way going to be transitioning from an emergency phase to rebuilding and transitioning to a development phase in the Northeast. There have been huge investments in the response to the emergency as well as response to outbreaks in that context.
“What is needed now is to bring together the development partners, donors, like the World Bank, and African Development Bank, who are interested in development and less involved in humanitarian response, and ensure that they get engaged now to understand the investment government and others have made, and prepare themselves to help transition to rebuilding the health system in the northeast because rebuilding is better,” Moeti said.
She advised government to add the revitalization of primary healthcare programme of the Federal Ministry of Health, rebuild infrastructure, mobilize community and health workers among others, saying it would provide Nigeria with a better health system in the near future.
She also commended the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole for his vision and determination in mobilizing local and international partners towards addressing health emergencies and diseases outbreaks in the country.
The minister said Moetti’s visit was timely as it came when the country was addressing Monkey pox outbreak, yellow fever outbreak and containment efforts against polio among others, saying all advice and recommendations would be implemented to the later.
