By Saint Mugaga

The House of Representatives Tuesday mandated its Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control to investigate the utilisation of the $1.8bn and $2.8 bn, totalling $4.6bn grants received by Nigeria from 2021 to 2025 for the fight against HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria from the Global Fund and USAID.

The committee is to report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by deputy spokesperson of the House, Hon. Philip Agbese (APC, Benue) at plenary.

In adopting the motion, the House mandated the Coordinating Minister of Heath and Social Welfare to provide the implementation plan and approvals granted by the National Assembly for the utilisation and expenditure of the grants.

Presenting the motion, Hon. Agbese noted that Nigeria has received an estimated $1.8 billion dollars in grants from Global Fund from 2021 to 2025 for the fight against HIV, TB and Malaria, in addition to over $2.8 billion received from USAID to cover health threats such as HIV, malaria, polio, and tuberculosis between 2022 and 2024.

He said the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, founded in January 22, 2002 as an independent, multilateral financing entity designed to raise a significant resource and accelerate efforts to end the HIV, TB, and malaria epidemics in the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Aware that Nigeria also received over $6 billion dollars in health assistance from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief from 2021 to 2025 to fight HIV/AIDS and build capacity of Health and community Systems.

“Also notes that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social welfare is responsible for the utilisation of the grants from USAID while the Country Coordinating Mechanism Nigeria is responsible for utilising and implementing the Global Fund grants in Nigeria.

“Concerned that with this huge investment in the nation’s response to HIV, TB and Malaria, Nigeria still bears great burden in all these public health threats. In 2023 approximately 15,000 AIDS-related deaths occurred among Nigerian children aged 0-14years, while 51,000 AIDS-related deaths were recorded in the country with Nigeria ranking third globally in HIV deaths, and also with the highest number of HIV cases in West and Central Africa.

“In the area of TB Nigeria ranks first in Africa and sixth in the world accounting for 4.6% global TB burden, while Nigeria bears the highest malaria burden globally, accounting for an estimated 26.6% of global cases and 31% of malaria deaths.

“Also aware that the UN Sustainable Development Goal has established a target of 2030 for all nations to ensure the elimination of HIV, TB and Malaria in their Countries, for which if the status quo continues, Nigeria may likely not meet this target”, he stated.

The lawmaker said he was concerned that there has not been a coordinated and robust oversight of the implementers of the grants received by the country by the National Assembly.

“Also aware that pursuant to Section 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the National Assembly or its committees has inherent powers to summon or request for documents from any government ministry, agency, parastatal or Non-governmental Agency for effective discharge of its mandate.

“Worried that if something drastic is not done to reassess and reevaluate the utilization and implementation of these grants with the 8th replenishment in view, Nigeria may continue to suffer huge burdens and continue to lose our population to these diseases, thereby failing in the elimination of HIV, TB, and Malaria by year 2030”.

The motion was unanimously adopted at the plenary presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The World Health Organization , WHO, has appointed Dr. Pavel Ursu as the new Country Representative to Nigeria.

Dr. Ursu officially presented his certificate to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.

While receiving the new Country Representative in his office, Ambassador Tuggar, welcomed Dr. Ursu to Nigeria and said that the country was looking forward to deepening collaboration with WHO under his leadership.”

Tuggar stated that the COVID-19 pandemic served as a wake-up call for Nigeria, particularly in the area of vaccine operations.

He noted that the country is determined not to relive the vulnerabilities exposed during the pandemic as it is committed to strengthening local manufacturing of health products.

Ambassador Tuggar reflected on Nigeria’s longstanding engagement in health diplomacy, noting particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and the evolving global landscape, adding that “We are witnessing the return of new realism”—a moment that demands pragmatic, equity-driven partnerships and resilient health systems.”

Dr. Ursu said, “I am honoured to serve as WHO Representative to Nigeria and look forward to working closely with national authorities, development partners, and communities to advance health for all,” said Dr. Ursu.

He highlighted Nigeria’s achievements, including the earlier efforts in certification of wild poliovirus eradication and the recent integrated immunization campaign targeting over 106 million children.

He said, “Nigeria’s strength lies in its people, innovation and resolve to reform. WHO will focus on ensuring our cooperation translates into measurable improvements in people’s lives.”

WHO indicates that Dr. Ursu’s leadership will help in advancing impactful, evidence-based strategies aligned with Nigeria’s national health priorities and targets

Dr. Ursu brings over two decades of distinguished service with WHO, spanning national and international assignments to Nigeria.

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has explained why it imperative for African countries to invest in digital health skills in order to ensure the continent’s healthcare systems are resilient, inclusive and future-ready.

Salako stated this when he delivered a keynote address at the 2025 Africa Health Tech Summit (AHTS) at the Kigali Convention Centre, in Rwanda.

Salako said technology alone cannot solve Africa’s health challenges without adequately training health workers who can be deployed effectively.

The theme of the conference, is “The Case for Digital Health Skilling in Africa.

The minister noted that the pathway to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and resilient health systems is not built on technology alone, because technology itself is only as good as the people who use it.

He noted “The most sustainable investment we can make in health transformation is not in devices or dashboards, but in the human beings who will power them.”

He therefore tasked them for a stronger collaboration among governments, academia, private sector players, and development partners to develop regional centres of excellence that will drive research, innovation, and capacity building in digital health.

He urged African countries to standardize and accredit digital health competencies to allow mutual recognition and mobility of skilled professionals across the continent.

Highlighting Nigeria’s efforts, the Minister said the country is implementing a people-centered digital transformation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, guided by the Nigeria Digital Health Strategy (2021–2025) and the Nigeria Digital in Health Initiative (NDHI).

He explained that the initiative aims to build a unified, secure, and interoperable digital ecosystem that empowers health workers and ensures equitable access to healthcare for all Nigerians. “Our goal is not just to digitalize health delivery systems but to ensure that every health worker, from the most remote primary health centre to tertiary hospitals, is equipped to use digital tools for care delivery and policy decision-making,” he said.

According to Salako, 76% of Nigeria’s federal tertiary health institutions currently have varying levels of digitization, ranging from 50–100%, with similar progress being recorded at state and local government levels. He added that the federal government is providing incentives to accelerate health digitization nationwide, with plans to establish a National Health Information Exchange by 2027.

Salako also underscored the need to improve the digital literacy of the general population to ensure inclusive adoption of digital health tools, noting that this would require investment in infrastructure, education, and public awareness.

“The case for digital health skilling in Africa is no longer optional, it is practical, urgent, and transformational,” he said. “We must invest in the digital capacity of our people to achieve Universal Health Coverage and to build resilient health systems that can withstand future shocks.”

He added a clarion call for collective action: “Together, we can make technology the heartbeat of a healthier, more connected Africa, one where every health worker is empowered, every patient is seen, and every community is served.”