By Gabriel Atumeyi
365Daily– Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has called for increased investment in health security if Nigeria is to deal with its current myriads of health challenges and successful weather any future epidemic or pandemic.
Fayemi made this known on Thursday, August 12, 2021, during a one day round table dialogue on private sector intervention in health care in Nigeria.
The event, which held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, was to mark the centenary celebration of the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN).
According to Governor, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown how diseases and weak health systems can destabilise lives and economies.
Fayemi said health security involves strengthening the healthcare sector through capacity building and commensurate reward of health workforce.
He also as well listed effective drug management system, robust health data systems and investment in infrastructures in addition.
Going further, he revealed that an increased investment in health security will bring about a resilient health sector and immeasurable benefits to the nation.
The Governor added that it will also lift many out of poverty and ensure Universal Health Coverage.
Fayemi said: “Neither individual governments nor the global development community can entirely prevent the emergence of diseases.
“However, we can be better prepared by strengthening our health system through investment in health security and Universal Health Coverage.
“Investing in health security through financing epidemic preparedness is a smart and cost-effective way to protect lives and safeguard the economy with a significant return on investment.
“In addition, the resources and infrastructure required for pandemic preparedness also facilitate efforts to fight endemic diseases.
“Investing in health security not only saves lives but is also a vital investment in the wider economy. In Ekiti State for instance, we have taken advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen our public health security.
“We have decentralised testing to 145 testing centres, the highest in the country, and improved our disease surveillance capacity to pick up early signals of possible outbreaks.
“Before the pandemic began, we had set several milestones for ourselves including towards Universal Health Coverage by 2030. Yet, we are faced with the sad reality that COVID-19 has disrupted health systems and economies.
“In less than two years, the pandemic has caused a setback in development gains achieved over the past 25 years.
“Across the world, we have seen the impact of this pandemic on the livelihoods of people. As a country, we are experiencing our worst recession in the past 40 years.
“The limited fiscal room at the Federal level of government has affected the States and we have had to adjust our spending and priorities to stay afloat. These prevailing fiscal realities have of course affected the poorest households.
“But while we mitigate the immediate consequences of the pandemic, we must also focus on building back our economy and health system for tomorrow — an economy and health system which is resilient to global health crises and economic shocks.
“By prioritising recovery plans that tackle multiple challenges, Nigeria can recover in a way that is more inclusive, sustainable and resilient.”