• Brazilian firm invests $240m in pharmaceutical industry
• Additional 750,000 Nigerians captured in health insurance 

The Federal Government has recruited 2,497 doctors, midwives, nurses and community health extension workers in the last six months to bridge the manpower shortage in the sector.

Meanwhile, a Brazilian firm has committed $240 million in generic pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria, while another has concluded plans to open a diagnostic manufacturing plant in the country before the end of the year.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, who made the disclosure at the third edition of the ministerial press briefing series organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation yesterday in Abuja, stated that the Federal Government will be releasing N50 billion as the first tranche of the Basic Healthcare Fund, a significant increase from N25 billion allocated in 2022.

He observed that this infusion of funds would breathe new life into the nation’s primary healthcare facilities, by ensuring that quality care is accessible to all citizens.

Pate said the President Bola Tinubu administration has made substantial strides in expanding health insurance coverage by enrolling about 750,000 more Nigerians in the scheme.

He said: “Recognising that financial barriers often deter individuals from seeking medical care, we have worked tirelessly to increase the accessibility and affordability of health insurance schemes. By supporting enrolment initiatives and streamlining administrative processes, we have extended coverage to millions of Nigerians, safeguarding them against the financial hardships associated with healthcare expenses.”

The minister noted that additional 1,400 health facilities now have skilled birth attendants to facilitate deliveries, adding that government has improved the situation to the extent of recording as high as 230,000 deliveries monthly.

On the rising cases of Lassa fever, Pate said government has developed a robust commodities’ distribution plan alongside comprehensive measures to enhance response capabilities and safeguard the health of Nigerians.

“To strengthen our response to Lassa fever outbreaks, the Federal Government has embarked on the distribution of essential response commodities to states and treatment centres across the nation, especially in affected states,” he added.

The minister said since the launch of the HPV vaccine in October 2023 in 15 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), government has successfully vaccinated more than 4.95 million girls aged 9-14 years, representing 80 per cent of eligible girls.

He pointed out that the Phase 2 introduction would hold this May in 21 states, including Anambra, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kwara and Kogi.

The rest are Ondo, Rivers, Oyo, Sokoto, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Yobe, Plateau and Zamfara.

Pre-implementation activities have commenced to ensure a successful outing.