"HEALTH SECTOR: A KEY DRIVER OF ECONOMIC GROWTH"..…..Prof. Isaac Adewole

Nigeria's Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole has reiterated his belief an improved health sector would to a rise in the nation's economic growth.

According to the Health Minister, "to restore and improve on the nation’s economic status, this administration has put together a 4year recovery plan with the broad objectives of restoring growth, investment in our people and building a globally competitive economy".

This, according to Prof. Adewole, is why we deem it very important to tag the theme of this year’s NCH to be "Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) in the Health Sector: Matters arising".

The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole stated this while delivering his keynote address at the 60^th National Council on Health(NCH) meeting holding at Abeokuta 6^th– 9^th November, 2017.

Adewole, in a statement signed by Boade Akinola (Mrs), Director in charge of the Media and Public Relations Department of the Health Ministry, noted that globally, the health sector was seen as an important driver of economic growth, as such, there was a correlation between improved health and economic growth.  

He explained that improvement in health outcomes typically precedes meaningful gains in economic growth and that is why we say "health is wealth".

“Undoubtedly therefore, investment in the health sector should positively impact on economic growth in Nigeria”, he stated.

The Minister stressed that, to grow and develop the economy sustainably, it was imperative that the government must invest in Nigeria people. 

This, Adewole said, meant improving access to good and affordable healthcare and education, fostering social inclusion, promoting job creation and protecting environment.

He also affirmed that the federal government was poised to enhancing opportunities for all Nigerians, irrespective of gender, age, economic status and physical ability.

Prof. Adewole therefore commended the Executive Governor of Ogun State for accepting to host the 60th National Council of Health (NCH) Meeting.

Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosu, while declaring the Council open said, "Nigeria had recorded improvement in the health care delivery system but efforts must be scaled up on the health indices pertaining to maternal/ child mortality and emergency health response".

"The country must also invest more on public health and preventive medicine", the governor added.

He therefore commended the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) for stepping up investment on preventive medicine and awareness creation. 

Prof. Adewole opined that most untimely deaths were avoidable if the people could get timely and adequate attention.

In his goodwill message, the WHO representative commended the Honourable Minister of Health and the Nigerian government for ensuring that national and global healthcare practices were adopted in the healthcare delivery system in Nigeria to the benefit its citizenry. 

He also pledged the support of WHO to Nigeria in their effort to promote health, save lives and serve the vulnerable.

In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Health in Ogun state, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye informed that, "the second of the five-point development agenda of Ogun State governor was to provide affordable and quality health".

In view of this, Dr. Ipaye said that the state government had established several Primary Health Centers to provide health services particularly at the grassroots in addition to providing health commodities in over eighty health facilities across the State.