Nigerian Government Advocates Self-Care for Health Challenges

The federal government of Nigeria has underscored the necessity of adopting self-care practices to tackle various public health emergencies, including outbreaks of infectious diseases. This statement was made by Dr. Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, during the inaugural National Self-Care Conference in Abuja.

The conference's theme was “Self-care Puts Your Health in Your Hands: Test, Track, Thrive.” Dr. Salako pointed out the critical role of self-care in preventing and controlling diseases such as the Ebola Virus Disease, which had an index case reported recently. He called on the public to engage in self-care practices like maintaining hygiene and cooperating with health officials.

Salako emphasized that self-care extends healthcare beyond traditional settings and is essential for empowering individuals with knowledge and tools for health management. He also noted that the government will continue to invest in health facilities and services to support primary healthcare and universal health coverage.