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The Federal Government says it is committed to equipping hospitals with modern infrastructure and training more frontline health workers for equitable access to healthcare services.
This was stated by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Ms Kachollom Daju, in Abuja on Monday after a road walk tagged ‘Walk the Talk’ to celebrate 2024 World Health Day.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that ‘Walk the Talk’ is a World Health Organisation programme
aimed at achieving Goal 3 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, while ensuring healthy lives, and promoting well-being for all ages.
The road walk commenced from Unity Fountain, Abuja, to the Federal Ministry of Health.
The WHD is a global health awareness day celebrated every year on April 7 to focus world attention on a health problem or issue that deserves special attention.
The global observance has ‘My Health, My Right’ as the theme for 2024.
The permanent secretary said that the celebration was meant to ensure that Nigerians exercised their right to health, adding that the yearly walk was to create awareness on how to live healthily.
She said the country must work with stakeholders to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
“Without health, we can’t have a healthy society so, we will ensure that quality healthcare is given to Nigerians,” Daju added.
She advised Nigerians to always go for medical check-ups “so as to start early treatment, should anything be detected.”
The WHO Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo, said the road walk is to promote physical activity, well-being, and healthy lifestyle, among members.
He said that the day is celebrated to raise awareness about the importance of achieving Universal Health Coverage, where people would have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship.
Mulombo noted that the theme of this year’s WHD is appropriate, as the right to good health is essential.
He explained that WHO was created 76 years ago by Member States based on the principle of human rights, emphasising “health is a fundamental human right, not a privilege. Today is an opportunity to monitor rights violations and tell the world why health is important. We have seen achievements over the years, starting with education.
“Also, a child missing vaccination is called a human rights violation and mothers dying why giving birth is not acceptable. We must ensure that people know their rights when it comes to health.”
(NAN)
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