Health Promotion Director Calls for Increased Funding in 2026

Mr. Uruokpa John, the Director of Health Promotion at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, called for enhanced budgetary allocation for health promotion to improve public awareness and support sustainable health programs in Nigeria. He made this statement during a technical session on the second day of the 2026 National Health Promotion Day celebration.

John noted that while health promotion activities have reached millions of Nigerians, inadequate data coordination poses a significant challenge in measuring their overall impact. He explained that health promotion interventions are often integrated into programs managed by other technical departments, complicating the tracking of individuals reached.

The ministry is collaborating with stakeholders to develop a globally acceptable framework for health promotion data collection and reporting. This year marked the first active participation of states in the National Health Promotion Day, following virtual engagements.

John emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among government institutions and development partners, lamenting the department's reliance on partners due to insufficient funding.