President Bola Tinubu has urged Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to join forces with potential Nigerian vaccine manufacturers to ensure fair access to life-saving vaccines for both children and adults.
During a meeting with a delegation from Gavi, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sania Nishtar, at the State House, President Tinubu emphasized the need for collaboration on local vaccine production, especially in light of the challenges faced by developing countries during the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious disease outbreaks.
“We have skilled and talented individuals capable of contributing to vaccine production in Nigeria and across Africa,” President Tinubu stated, highlighting the importance of leveraging local expertise.
The President assured the Gavi CEO of Nigeria’s commitment to meeting its outstanding counterpart contributions for routine vaccines in 2023. He 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 release necessary funds for vaccine procurement.
“We are dedicated to enhancing our healthcare program and are eager to collaborate with Gavi,” President Tinubu affirmed, underscoring his administration’s focus on ensuring universal vaccination against preventable childhood diseases.
Acknowledging Gavi’s global commitment to humanity, President Tinubu expressed gratitude for their impactful contributions and welcomed their collaboration to safeguard children from preventable diseases.
President Tinubu praised Dr. Nishtar’s valuable perspective, coming from a developing country like Pakistan, and stressed the importance of leveraging her experience to improve children’s health outcomes.
In conclusion, President Tinubu commended Dr. Nishtar for her visit to Nigeria and reiterated his administration’s commitment to investing in healthcare renewal. He emphasized the necessity of coordination and collaboration among federal, state, and local governments in achieving healthcare goals.
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