Nigeria, EU, WHO Launch €4.2M Health Initiative

The Federal Government of Nigeria, alongside the European Union and the World Health Organization, launched a €4.2 million initiative on Monday in Abuja to strengthen Nigeria's capacity to detect and respond to disease outbreaks. This program, valued at approximately ₦6.7 billion, is designed to enhance the core functions of selected public health institutions, improve early outbreak detection, and enhance information sharing to reduce poor health outcomes across the country.

Dr. Iziak Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, described the initiative as a major intervention in Nigeria's healthcare system, particularly benefiting vulnerable populations.

The program aims to address challenges in disease surveillance and emergency preparedness, improve collaboration among health agencies, and enhance workforce capacity. It targets training for at least 75% of frontline public health workers across federal, state, and local levels.

The initiative reflects the European Union's commitment to strengthening Nigeria's health security system and improving public health outcomes.