*Nigerian First Lady (Senator) Oluremi Tinubu, CON, at a high level meeting on Domestic Health Financing, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, calls for sustainable financing to ensure efficient mobilisation and utilisation of resources for a health system that guarantees access to quality health services without imposing financial hardships on consumers

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Africa鈥檚 aspirations for progress, economic growth, and social stability will remain difficult to achieve without a robust healthcare system that guarantees access to essential healthcare services for millions of Africans.

Nigerian First Lady (Senator) Oluremi Tinubu, CON, stated this at a high-level meeting on Domestic Health Financing in Africa, organised by Rwandan President, Paul Kagame on the margins of the 38th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian capital.

Senator Tinubu advocated sustainable financing that ensures efficient mobilisation and utilisation of resources for both short, medium, and long-term impact.

She also explained that achieving a wealthy African continent is largely dependent on the health of the people.

The First Lady stated with the impending funding gaps, occasioned by recent policy changes in the United States (US), the African continent must look inward for a sustainable solution.

On innovative financing strategies

The Nigerian President’s wife as well shared the country’s perspective on the issue.

The First Lady emphasised the need for a health system that guarantees access to quality health services without imposing financial hardships.

Busola Kukoyi, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the First Lady on Media Friday, February 14, 2025, stated Senator Tinubu said: 鈥淎frica cannot continue to rely solely on donor funding and foreign aid, which, although helpful, are often unpredictable and unsustainable.

“Instead, we must develop innovative financing strategies tailored to our unique challenges and circumstances.鈥�

Senator Oluremi Tinubu also noted that her role as the Global and National Stop TB champion mirrors the role that other First Ladies.

According to her, leveraging their position and platform can play in resources mobilisation for health from government, the private sector and donor agencies in Africa.

The Nigerian First Lady said: “Given the increasing funding gap for health on the continent, I urge us all to come together and commit to advocating for increased national health budgets.

“In line with the Abuja Declaration, our governments should allocate at least 15% of their budgetary allocations to health.”

Senator Tinubu further stated: “We must also support innovative financing mechanisms and explore sustainable models, such as expanding health insurance coverage, health endowment funds, and investments from the African Diaspora. “Accountability and transparency must be ensured, as funds allocated to health must be used efficiently and effectively.鈥�

Africa must look inwards for homegrown solutions to health care, by leaders

Kukoyi stated the Presidents and Heads of State of other countries present, including those of Rwanda, Ethiopia, Botswana, Kenya, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Barbados, donor agencies and funding partners, touched on global and regional perspectives on domestic health financing in Africa and its contributions to the global agenda.

The statement noted the leaders, organisations and agencies were unequivocal that Africa must begin to look inwards for homegrown solutions to its health care needs which include research, medications, technology, improved manpower and importantly, funding if it will be able to keep its citizens productive and prosperous.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame organised the high-level meeting, on domestic health financing on the sidelines of the 38th African Union Summit Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa.

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