The United States Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, improve economic viability and save lives of its citizens.
The Public Affairs Officer, U.S Consulate, Russell Brooks, made the assertion at a seminar for Health Journalists on Wednesday in Lagos.
Theme of the seminar was: “Working Together to Create Nigerian Solutions to Nigerian Challenges.”
Brooks said that a large percentage of U.S assistance to Nigeria was in the health sector, and was implemented through various U.S agencies to ensure a healthier Nigeria.
Also, Mr Usman Halilu, the Communications Specialist, U.S Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said that U.S started the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003 to tackle global AIDS epidemic.
According to him, 80 billion dollars had been invested in global AIDS intervention, with more than 5.5 billion dollars of the funds spent in Nigeria.
Halilu said that PEPFAR was implemented in Nigeria through the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S Agency for International Development (USAID), Walter Reed Programme and the Department of States, PEPFAR Coordination office.
He said HIV was a leading cause of death and health threat to millions worldwide, adding that CDC provides technical assistance to help Federal and State Ministries of Health to implement effective and efficient HIV programmes.
According to him, interventions are also done in tuberculosis, malaria, immunisation for vaccine-preventable diseases, as well as strengthen laboratory, surveillance and workforce capacity to respond to disease outbreaks.
He said that AIDS-related deaths had reduced by 50 per cent globally, 2.2 million babies born HIV free in 2018 alone, and about 25 to 40 per cent decrease in diagnosis of HIV in young women in 10 African countries.
“The U.S Government, not only saved lives through PEPFAR, but improved global economy,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr Zack Taylor, USAID, Supervisory Development Outreach and Communications Specialist, said that the agency was committed to health programmes that would end preventable maternal and child mortality.
Taylor said that its programmes would improve the nutritional status of pregnant women and children under five years, strengthen health system and increase training of health workers.
