The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, has acknowledged and commended the significant contribution made by the faith community to healthcare delivery in the country.
Pate, while making the commendation at the Biannual Review Meeting with Religious Leaders organised by the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency(NPHCDA) also recognised the commendable efforts of religious organizations in providing healthcare services at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
Pate, who was represented by Emmanuel Oduh, emphasised the importance of the partnership between the government and the faith community, as the government alone cannot fulfill all healthcare needs.
He also highlighted the constantly evolving nature of the medical field and the need for regular collaboration and updates among healthcare providers and religious leaders.
“By coming together, sharing knowledge, and staying informed about current developments, we can ensure that world-class and standard healthcare services are provided to Nigerians.
He encouraged religious leaders and healthcare providers to continue working together, sharing their expertise and knowledge, in order to improve the quality of healthcare in the nation.
He also emphasised the collective impact that can be made on the well-being of the Nigerians when they collaborate and strive towards better healthcare outcomes.
Also, in his remarks, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NPHCDA, Faisal Shuaib, said in the government’s endeavour to reach every corner of the nation, it acknowledged the pivotal role religious leaders play in this noble pursuit.
He said: “They possess the power to disseminate critical information that can influence behaviour, dispel myths and encourage preventive practice.”
“Concerning progress made on one of the deadliest diseases affecting our mothers, sisters, and daughters – cervical cancer.
“This cancer is caused by the Human papillomavirus (HPV). On September 25 this year, we’ll be introducing the HPV vaccine that prevents cervical cancer when given to our daughters between the ages of 9 and 15 years.
“In their roles are spiritual guides; they own the power to influence hearts and minds, and their words carry weight and inspire action. I urge you to join hands today with the medical community in championing the course of HPV vaccination nationwide.
“By encouraging HPV vaccination within your congregations, you become advocates of life and guardians of health. HPV vaccination is more than a medical breakthrough, but a testament to our unity and the sanctity of life.” He added.
Meanwhile, the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar III said, “When we are talking about the health issues of our people, first and foremost, you must talk about how to feed the common man. Without food, no drug will work. The government must face this reality, and if care is not taken, it will worsen next year. I am not predicting, but we have to work on ourselves because of the issues we see on the ground.”
“We have full hope that we will get out of the woods. We are not losing hope. I am not campaigning for Asiwaju’s renewed hope, but we must have hope in what Almighty Allah can do for us but we must do for ourselves.
“This forum will review all health issues, successes, failures, and what must be done. We are ready to do the needful. The Government can count on us – traditional and religious leaders. We believe in telling the people what the government is doing. If the government does anything right, we clap for them; if they do anything wrong, we caution them not to go that way.”
The national President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, added, “We are delighted that primary health care in Nigeria is beginning to get the kind of attention it deserves. More importantly, religious leaders are given the opportunity to dialogue by way of review about what is happening in this particular sector of our national lives. Even on health issues, a lot of Nigerians still prefer to listen to their religious leaders before listening to their doctors, even the government.
“Our places of worship have been used for sensitization, for administering vaccines, and our health facilities have been in collaboration with the government for a very long time now, especially for primary health care.
“With initiatives like this, we are optimistic that improved healthcare will be made accessible to those who before now have been far from it, especially those in the rural areas. We pray that this bi-annual meeting carries out the government’s objective to provide healthcare to all Nigerians. We recommend that we continue this kind of collaboration.”
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