Nigeria Backs African Union To Drive Community Health Workers Universal Health Coverage

By; ARCHIBONG ESUENE, Abuja

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the African Union’s (AU) vision of institutionalizing Community Health Workers (CHWs) as the foundation of primary healthcare delivery across the continent.

Speaking at the African CDC 2nd Taskforce Meeting of the Community Health Continental Coordination Mechanism (CCM) Principals on Tuesday, at UNICEF Headquarters in New York, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Dr. Salako conveyed a message of solidarity from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, AU Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership.

Dr. Salako emphasized that CHWs remain central to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), strengthening health security, and building resilient systems in Africa.

He recalled the 2017 AU Assembly decision urging member states to prioritize recruitment, training, and integration of CHWs, and to implement the ambitious initiative of deploying 2 million CHWs across the continent.

“In August this year, Nigeria hosted the validation of the 2024 community health landscape survey titled Shaping the CHW Strategy, Scorecard and Strategic Action, which was endorsed by member countries for CHW institutionalization, governance, financing, and policy guidance. The speed with which this document has moved to high-level dialogue shows our collective seriousness and commitment,” the Honourable Minister noted.

Alaba Balogun , Head, Information & Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in a press statement said the Minister stated that investing in CHWs translates into investing in prevention, early detection, maternal and child health, and stronger systems capable of withstanding public health threats.

“We must expand training facilities, professionalize their work, create career progression pathways, and fully integrate them into our health systems,” he said.

Dr. Salako commended the African Union Commission, Africa CDC, UNICEF, and development partners for supporting the initiative and urged member states to transform commitments into measurable outcomes.

“The future of community health in Africa depends on our shared resolve, collaboration, and action,” he further stated.