Posted on: Thu 19-06-2025

Nigeria is calling for deeper collaboration among countries of the Global South, especially within the BRICS bloc, to enhance healthcare service delivery, promote health equity, and tackle shared health challenges. This call was made by the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adekunle Salako, during the 15th BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting held in Brazil.

In his address, Dr. Salako stressed the importance of partnerships between Nigeria and BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—particularly in the areas of pharmaceutical and biomedical research, phytomedicine development, and academic exchange. He emphasized that coordinated efforts among these countries would accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which targets good health and well-being for all.

Highlighting the interconnected nature of modern global health, Salako pointed out that the world is increasingly burdened by a range of overlapping issues: the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the persistent threat of pandemics, the consequences of climate change, antimicrobial resistance, health system inequalities, pollution, and the impacts of civil unrest and shrinking global health financing.

He noted that the BRICS Health Ministers’ platform offers a unique opportunity for some of the world’s most populous and diverse nations to learn from one another and work together in addressing these urgent health concerns. Salako stated that, “Universal health coverage, pandemic preparedness, and health security are no longer matters that any single country can tackle alone. These are global imperatives that require solidarity and shared strategies.”

Speaking about Nigeria’s own efforts, Salako introduced the country’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which is focused on four core pillars: effective governance, a more equitable and efficient health system, unlocking the healthcare value chain, and enhancing health security. Cross-cutting these pillars are key themes such as strategic financing, smarter spending, digitalization, improved data systems, and a transformed healthcare work culture.

He also emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to self-reliance in the health sector, with increased investment in local production of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, revitalization of primary healthcare infrastructure, pooled procurement systems, and the promotion of indigenous herbal medicine (phytomedicine).

One of Nigeria’s major strides, he noted, is the integration of digital health technologies and artificial intelligence to improve healthcare delivery and access. In disease prevention, Nigeria is taking bold steps by prioritizing vaccination and health promotion. The country has recently incorporated the HPV vaccine into its national immunization programme, reaching over 14 million girls between the ages of 9 and 14 as of May 2025.

Dr. Salako also drew attention to Nigeria’s leadership role in combating non-communicable diseases in the African region. Through the PEN-PLUS initiative—an integrated care strategy for serious NCDs at first-level referral facilities—Nigeria is actively addressing conditions such as sickle cell disease, type 1 diabetes, rheumatic heart disease, and childhood cancers.

He concluded by reinforcing the need for stronger South-South cooperation that goes beyond policy declarations to real, practical collaboration. According to him, the BRICS health partnership presents a unique framework for shared growth and learning—enabling countries like Nigeria to tap into global innovations while sharing its own models and experiences for the benefit of all.

In Dr. Salako’s words, “Together, we can build a more resilient, responsive, and inclusive health system—not just for our countries, but for the world.”

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