Toba Owojaiye reporting
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has expressed the willingness of the FCT Administration to partner with the Ministry of Health and the Susan-Buffett Foundation to improve primary healthcare services in the Territory.
This was disclosed in a press release signed by Anthony Ogunleye, Director of Press, Office of the Minister and made available to Truthlive news on Thursday.
According to the press release, the minister made this known during a meeting attended by key dignitaries including the Minister of Health, Dr. Ali Pate and prof. Seniat Fisseha, Vice President for Global Programmes at the Susan-Buffett Foundation.
Others also present at the meeting held at the minister’s office in Abuja on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, are Muyi Aina, Executive Secretary of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and senior officials from the FCTA including the Secretary of Health Services and Environment, Dr. Adedolapo A. Fasawe.
At the meeting which served as a platform to discuss crucial healthcare partnership, Wike emphasized the importance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s health initiative, particularly focusing on maternal health services, stating that, “We are delighted and eager to partner with you. We are ready to work collaboratively to ensure the realization of this initiative.
“I’m grateful that Mr. President has approved this endeavor, making it a comprehensive initiative across the state. The issue of maternal health is of paramount importance to us, and we wholeheartedly welcome your involvement”, he added.
In response, Prof. Seniat Fisseha, representing the Susan-Buffett Foundation, expressed the foundation’s keen interest in collaborating with the FCT Administration to eliminate preventable maternal deaths. She acknowledged the unfortunate high rate of maternal mortalities in Nigeria and affirmed the foundation’s readiness to allocate resources to make significant improvements in the short term.
She stated, “We have observed the talent and commitment present. With the right resources, we can achieve significant improvements swiftly. Therefore, we are deeply interested in partnering with the Minister of Health and the Minister of the FCT to drive positive change for our people.”
This partnership initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s recent approval of an action-driven program under the Presidential Health Initiative, which aims to enhance population health outcomes and contribute to the medical industrialization agenda.
The Susan-Buffett Foundation’s expressed interest in collaborating with the Nigerian government demonstrates their commitment to advancing the health and well-being of all citizens, with a specific focus on the welfare of adolescent girls and women.
Here are photos from the meeting:
In these photos:
FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike is seen with the Hon. Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, and the Vice President of the Susan Buffett Foundation’s Global Programmes, Prof. Seniat Fisseha, among other officials during the Health Minister’s courtesy visit to the FCTA.
Another photo captures Vice President of the Susan Buffett Foundation’s Global Programmes, Prof. Seniat Fisseha, along with Hon. Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Ali Pate and FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike during the visit of the Health Minister and a delegation from the Susan Buffett Foundation to the FCTA.