Abuja – More than 60 representatives from 35 diplomatic missions, United Nations agencies, development partners and media organizations gathered in Nigeria’s capital for the second Health Diplomacy Dialogue convened by World Health Organization (WHO) in Nigeria.
The dialogue explored how health diplomacy can help connect Nigeria’s health priorities with regional and global decision-making, while strengthening cooperation and support for nationally led health programmes.
Participants discussed developments shaping health outcomes in Nigeria, across Africa and globally, including implementation of the Accra Reset, reforms across the global health sector and efforts to strengthen country leadership, national ownership and sustainable health financing.
Responding to a changing health landscape
A central focus of the dialogue was Nigeria’s ongoing effort to strengthen preparedness and response capacities for disease outbreaks, humanitarian emergencies and other public health threats.
Discussions highlighted the Government of Nigeria’s health reform agenda, including the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Sector-Wide Approach, which aim to strengthen national leadership, improve coordination and align investments behind shared priorities.
Over the past 12 months, WHO has supported government-led efforts to strengthen disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, immunization programmes, laboratory systems and emergency health capacities.
As part of preparedness measures for Ebola virus disease, WHO is providing technical support to national authorities. Personal protective equipment and laboratory reagents are expected to arrive in Nigeria to further strengthen readiness efforts.
WHO works with federal and state authorities, United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, national and international non-governmental organizations and other partners to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to prepare for and respond to multiple health risks.
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