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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the Vaccine Alliance, Gavi, to collaborate with potential Nigerian vaccine manufacturers to ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines for children and adults.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Thursday, Tinubu said that the partnership on local vaccine production has become necessary owing to the challenges faced by developing countries, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious disease outbreaks.
''We have capable and talented people who can make the necessary contributions to the production of vaccines in Nigeria and the rest of Africa,’’ the President told the delegation from CEO GAVI, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sania Nishtar, at the State House.
Dr Nishtar assumed office on March 18, 2024, and has embarked on visits to some African countries.
Tinubu assures GAVI CEO of Nigeria’s commitment to fulfilling its outstanding counterpart contributions for routine vaccines for the year 2023.
The President also directed the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, to work with the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to ensure the release of necessary funds for vaccine procurement.
''We intend to contribute to the development of our healthcare programme, and we are committed to partnering with GAVI,'' he said.
The GAVI CEO, Dr Nishtar, congratulated the Nigerian government on its innovative health-sector initiatives, including increasing budgetary allocations to health to 4.6 per cent and commitment to providing HPV vaccines for adolescent girls, among others.
She expressed readiness to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to leverage policy instruments and technical expertise to advance health outcomes.
