Senator Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of Nigeria, delivered a powerful call to action on the importance of sustainable health financing during the African Union (AU) Summit held today. Addressing heads of state, health ministers, and key stakeholders, Senator Tinubu stressed the urgent need for African nations to adopt innovative and sustainable approaches to financing health systems across the continent.
In her speech, Tinubu underscored that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the significant gaps in health systems, particularly in the area of financial preparedness. She emphasized that sustainable health financing is essential for the continent to effectively respond to both existing and future health challenges.
"Our health systems must be robust enough to withstand crises, yet flexible to adapt to the diverse needs of our populations," said Tinubu. "Sustainable financing, through innovative funding mechanisms and public-private partnerships, is crucial to ensuring that health services are accessible, affordable, and equitable for all Africans."
The First Lady also called for greater collaboration between African governments and international partners to mobilize resources, with a focus on increasing domestic financing for health. She urged for investments in preventative health care, community-based health programs, and essential services such as maternal and child health.
"Health is a fundamental right, not a privilege," Tinubu asserted. "As African leaders, we must prioritize health as a key pillar of our development agenda. Our people deserve a future where they have access to quality health care without facing financial barriers."