The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, has raised concerns over Nigeria’s sluggish healthcare reforms, urging the country to accelerate efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Speaking at a two-day training event aimed at empowering journalists with data-driven health reporting skills in Abuja, Nigeria, Dr. Mulombo warned that only 17% of the healthcare-related SDG targets are on track, while the rest are in jeopardy.
“It’s time for implementation, quality, scale, and speed,” Dr. Mulombo stated, emphasizing the need for Nigeria to move beyond pilot projects and focus on delivering large-scale, high-quality healthcare services.
He called for a collective effort from both the government and communities to overcome the pressing challenges facing the health sector.
Dr. Mulombo highlighted Nigeria’s troubling ranking of 187th out of 191 countries in healthcare performance, attributing the poor rating to inadequate funding, insufficiently trained healthcare personnel, and the high cost of services.
These factors, he said, must be addressed urgently to achieve the desired improvements in the health sector.
The WHO representative also underscored the pivotal role of journalists in driving healthcare reforms by delivering accurate, evidence-based health information to the public, particularly in remote areas.
“Journalists are the bridge between the public and the facts, and it is crucial that this bridge is built on the foundation of truth and responsibility”. Dr. Mulombo remarked.
Given Nigeria’s significant influence in Africa, with nearly a third of the continent’s population, Dr. Mulombo noted that responsible reporting could shape both national and international perspectives on Nigeria’s progress in health.
He encouraged journalists to collaborate closely with healthcare professionals to ensure the dissemination of accurate and timely information, particularly in the face of global challenges like COVID-19, climate change, and economic downturns.
Dr. Mulombo reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Nigerian journalists, praising their resilience and ethical reporting.
He urged Journalists to continue their critical role in the country’s journey toward achieving the SDG targets and addressing the pressing healthcare needs of the population.
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