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Tag: Salako

  • Salako, Anas, others push for deeper domestic health financing

    Salako, Anas, others push for deeper domestic health financing

    The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Adekunle Salako, has stressed that Nigeria must urgently deepen domestic financing to secure the future of its health system as foreign grants decline.

    While he noted that Nigeria’s development partners have made enormous investments over the years across HIV, malaria, immunisation, maternal and child health, tuberculosis and broader health systems strengthening, the Minister emphasized that the landscape of global aid is increasingly unpredictable.

    However, acknowledging the support from the United States, Global Fund, World Bank, Gavi, the UK, the EU, Japan and philanthropic foundations, the Minister noted that Nigeria has also shown commitment through counterpart funding, increasing its co-financing of Gavi programmes and providing in-kind contributions to PEPFAR.

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    Emergency funds have also been used to protect essential services when donor shifts create financing gaps.

    Speaking on Friday in Abuja at the 9th Annual Health Conference of the Association of Health Journalists themed ‘Domestic Resource Mobilisation in the Face of Dwindling Foreign Grants and Aid’, Salako said global economic pressures and shifting priorities have made donor flows uncertain, and Nigeria had anticipated this shift by implementing domestic financing reforms.

    He identified major local financing pillars including the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, and State-level initiatives such as contributory health insurance schemes and diaspora-backed infrastructure funds.

    He also highlighted expanding private-sector investment, with the Private Sector Health Alliance mobilising over ₦50 billion and the Sovereign Wealth Fund investing in hospital infrastructure.

    Salako said the government is exploring blended financing, social impact bonds and deeper capital market engagement, while prioritising continuity of care for vulnerable groups, especially in HIV treatment and immunisation.

    He said strategic co-investment with global partners remains critical and urged partners to focus on systems strengthening rather than recurrent costs.

  • Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Salako hails APC youth leader for creating awareness

    Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Salako hails APC youth leader for creating awareness

    •Minster, Israel, others participate in ‘Progress in Pink Walk’

    The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Isiaq Adekunle Salako, has hailed the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Wing for championing public health awareness.

    Salako spoke at the weekend in Abuja during the “Progress in Pink Walk” organised by the APC Youth Wing to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month.The four-kilometre walk, with the theme: Walk for Hope, Walk for Life, kicked off at The Nest Resource Centre in Abuja. Participants called for early detection, timely medical intervention, and hope for individuals and families affected by breast cancer.

    October is globally recognised as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to promote awareness, prevention, and support for those affected by the disease.

    The minister noted that eight out of 10 breast cancer cases in Nigeria are detected late.

    He urged Nigerians to prioritise regular check-ups, a healthy lifestyle, and preventive care.

    Also, the President of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, stated that breast cancer accounted for up to 40 to 50 per cent of all cancer cases in Nigeria.

    He called for a community-based approach to cancer awareness, applauding the APC Youth Wing for mobilising young people to lead positive change.

    APC National Youth Leader, Dr. Dayo Israel, restated the essence of self-awareness and early action in combating breast cancer.

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    “We joined the fight against childhood and adolescent cancer, commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as the first in Nigeria’s history to invest this greatly in cancer eradication, with the 2025 budget marking the highest allocation ever for diagnosis and treatment.

    “Also, we want women to know their bodies and act quickly if they notice anything unusual. Awareness and early detection save lives,” he said.

    The “Progress in Pink Walk” climaxed with a free screening.

    Participants in the exercise reaffirmed their commitment to promoting early detection, regular screening, and healthy living.

    They stressed that through awareness, unity, and collective action, Nigerians could defeat breast cancer.

  • Salako urges health workers to resist Japa syndrome

    Salako urges health workers to resist Japa syndrome

    The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Adekunle Salako, has urged Nigerian health professionals to resist the allure of migrating abroad (Japa syndrome) in search of better working conditions.

    He assured them of Federal Government’s dedication to fostering collaboration with the healthcare workforce to tackle the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and related deaths in the country.

    Salako spoke at the eighth annual Abuja Cardiovascular Symposium, with the theme: Sudden Cardiac Death, organised by Cardiocare Multispecialty Hospital. The event brought together over 800 healthcare professionals from Nigeria and beyond, including specialists, doctors, nurses, and other medical experts, to discuss and strategise comprehensive solutions to the issue.

    Read Also: Salako to health workers: resist Japa syndrome 

    The symposium highlighted critical advancements in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of sudden cardiac death, focusing on life-saving interventions, such as ECG interpretation, Basic Life Support (BLS), and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).

    Salako, who also represented the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, urged healthcare workers to rededicate themselves to the sector and resist the Japa syndrome in collaboration with the current administration.

    He praised the Cardiocare Hospitals in Abuja and the Group Managing Director of Limi Hospital Group, Iseko Iseko, for organising the annual event that had been instrumental in reversing medical tourism and improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

  • Salako urges alumni on unity, networking

    By Our Reporter

    The Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, has urged the Federal University of Technology, Akure alumni to unite and network for their development and that of their alma mater.

    Salako stated this in Lagos when the ’97 set of the university visited him in his office. He urged the alumni body to support him to succeed in his new assignment.

    He said: “All over the world, the essence of forming an alumni association is to unite, network and give back to their alma mater. Seeing all today is a thing of joy to me.

    “The FUTA journey was worth it, we were there, we saw and conquered. What I learned in those days prepared me for what I am today.”

    Salako said the university was looking up to the alumni for an endowment fund, renovation of classes and hostels, among others.

    One of the members of the alumni, Moruf Babs, an engineer, said: “Most people go into an association because of what they think they can benefit from it, but for an alumni body, it is the other way round.

    “We all have gained from our institution and has made us be what we are today. We are now looking at a situation where we review those things we lacked while studying there and look for ways to provide such things for the present and future generation.”

    Another member, Mr. Abidemi Thomas, said the alumni association aimed to provide mentoring for  students and contribute to the development of the alma mater.