By Ndidi Chukwu and Nancy Semion (Abuja), Khadija Katagum (Bauchi) & Asmau Ahmad (Kano)
Nigeria’s newest President Muhammed Buhari who has just been sworn into office today has pledged corporation with the international community to combat the spread of communicable diseases. Scooped from inaugural speech delivered by him few hours ago, he identified the spread of communicable diseases as one among many agenda he intends to address in the next four years.
Part of his speech reads “I also wish to assure the wider international community of our readiness to cooperate and help to combat threats of cross-border terrorism, sea piracy, refugees and boat people, financial crime, cybercrime, climate change, the SPREAD OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES and other challenges of the 21st century”
“At home we face enormous challenges. Insecurity, pervasive corruption, the hitherto unending and seemingly impossible fuel and power shortages are the immediate concerns. We are going to tackle them head on. NIGERIANS WILL NOT REGRET THAT THEY HAVE ENTRUSTED NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO US. We must not succumb to hopelessness and defeatism. WE CAN FIX OUR PROBLEMS.”
He also said “As far as the constitution allows me I will try to ensure that there is responsible and accountable governance at all levels of government in the country. For I will not have kept my own trust with the Nigerian people if I allow others abuse theirs under my watch.
For the longer term we have to improve the standards of our education. We have to look at the WHOLE FIELD OF MEDICARE. We have to upgrade our dilapidated physical infrastructure”
Before his inauguration, Nigeria as a country bears the second highest burden of maternal mortality after India and has one of the highest Infant Mortality, and among the five countries with the highest disease burden globally, but the President’s speech shows commitment and optimism for a better Health in Nigeria
Other relevant articles pushing for the new government to address health are as follows;
https://healthreporters.info/2015/05/19/may-29th-president-buhari-please-speak-out-on-health/
