The United States has signed a five-year bilateral health agreement with Nigeria, which is aimed at strengthening the country’s health system, with a focus on expanding faith-based healthcare services.
According to the US Department of State, the Memorandum of Understanding commits nearly $2.1bn in US funding to support prevention and treatment programmes for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and polio.
Nigeria is also expected to increase its domestic health spending by nearly $3 billion over the life of the agreement.
The agreement, announced by Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Thomas Pigott, is part of the America First Global Health Strategy.
According to the statement by the State Department, Nigeria’s financial commitment represents “the largest co-investment any country has made to date under the America First Global Health Strategy”.
“Today, the United States Department of State signed a five-year bilateral health Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Republic of Nigeria to strengthen Nigeria’s health system, with a strong emphasis on promoting Christian faith-based health care providers.
“Under this MOU, the Department of State, working with Congress, intends to commit nearly $2.1bn to expand essential preventative and curative services for HIV, TB, malaria, maternal and child health, and polio.
“Additionally, Nigeria will increase its domestic health expenditures by nearly $3bn during the term of the MOU, the largest co-investment any country has made to date under the America First Global Health Strategy,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the MOU is tied to recent reforms by the Nigerian government aimed at protecting Christian communities from violence.
As part of the agreement, dedicated funding will be allocated to Christian healthcare facilities, particularly those offering integrated services for infectious diseases and maternal and child health.
“The MOU was negotiated in connection with reforms the Nigerian government has made to prioritise protecting Christian populations from violence and includes significant dedicated funding to support Christian health care facilities with a focus on expanding access to integrated HIV, TB, malaria, and maternal and child health services,” the statement said.
Nigeria currently has about 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals, which the State Department said serve more than 30 per cent of the population.
US officials said investment in these facilities is intended to complement public healthcare services and improve the country’s overall health infrastructure.
“Nigeria’s 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals currently serve more than 30 per cent of Nigerians, and investments in these facilities are uniquely positioned to complement efforts in public-run facilities and strengthen Nigeria’s overall health infrastructure,” local media reports quoted the statement as saying.
It added that the Department of State also emphasised that US assistance remains subject to review. “As with all foreign assistance, the President and Secretary of State retain the right to pause or terminate any programs which do not align with the national interest,” the statement added.
GIK/APA