The Health Sector Reform Coalition (HSRC) in Nigeria has urged the government of the United States of America to maintain its pivotal role in addressing healthcare challenges on the continent.
Speaking in light of United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken’s diplomatic mission to Africa, HSRC coordinator, Mrs. Chika Offor expressed the coalition’s appeal during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, emphasising the need for sustained support for two highly successful initiatives: the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI).
Offor highlighted the profound impact of PEPFAR in combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic, noting the substantial investment of over $7 billion. She underscored PEPFAR’s role in ensuring comprehensive access to quality prevention, care and treatment services for nearly 2 million Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS.
Similarly, Offor acknowledged the U.S. leadership in GAVI, attributing significant health improvements in various African countries to the organisation’s direct financial contributions, governance, and technical assistance. GAVI’s efforts have reached over 360 million African children and prevented more than 8 million future deaths through improved access to vaccines.
Emphasising the transformative power of initiatives like PEPFAR and GAVI in advancing healthcare across Africa, Offor urged continued funding for PEPFAR and increased support for GAVI. She stressed that sustained financial backing from the U.S. would strengthen the progress achieved so far and play a crucial role in further advancing healthcare outcomes throughout the continent.
Offor called for collaborative efforts between the U.S. government, African governments, and other stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of these impactful initiatives. The coalition believes that, by continuing to support PEPFAR and increasing backing for GAVI, the U.S. can fortify health systems and make significant strides in improving healthcare across Africa.
HSRC, a national health reform-focused coalition, is dedicated to ensuring that all Nigerians have access to affordable, high-quality health services.
