As Nigeria Marks 3rd Health Promotion Day, FG Urges Nigerians to Prioritise Preventive Healthcare
The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to take ownership of their health by shifting focus from treatment to prevention, as the country commemorates the 3rd National Health Promotion Day.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, said the health of the nation is shaped not only by hospital care but also by everyday actions, the environment and the systems that support wellbeing.
Prof. Pate, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, spoke Wednesday in Abuja at the event themed “Health Promotion: Owning My Health,” with the slogan “Take Charge, Live Well.”
According to him, health promotion should be seen as a strategic investment in the health system.
“Health promotion must therefore be understood as a strategic investment in our health system, not merely an awareness campaign. It equips people to make informed decisions, empowers communities to address health risks and encourages action on social, economic and environmental conditions that influence health,” he said.
Citing the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), Pate noted progress and persistent gaps. While under-five mortality declined from 132 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 110 in 2024, neonatal mortality increased from 39 to 41 within the same period.
“These figures reflect progress in some areas and existent challenges in others. They reinforce the need to accelerate prevention, early detection and timely access to quality care,” he stated.
The Minister charged the Health Promotion Division to look beyond activities and assess impact — what has been achieved through the programme in three years, how it has affected the lives of Nigerians and the level of awareness created.
He said such evaluation would help measure real outcomes such as increased screening, completed referrals, access to treatment and prevention of avoidable illnesses.
The Minister listed ongoing preventive interventions under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative to include hypertension detection, hepatitis elimination through Project 365, cervical cancer screening, improved nutrition, immunisation and control of communicable diseases.
Prof. Pate stressed that awareness alone is not enough if people cannot access affordable, quality care. He therefore called for stronger collaboration among families, schools, workplaces, traditional and religious institutions, media, civil society and development partners to promote healthy diets, exercise, hygiene, mental wellbeing, vaccination and regular screening.
Development partners at the event reaffirmed support. UNFPA representative, Dr. Olukunle Omotoso, emphasised community engagement, health literacy, gender equality and access to sexual and reproductive health services for women and youths.
CARE International, through Oluloto Ebenezer, pledged continued support for community-level behavioural change initiatives, while Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) and other stakeholders highlighted family planning, nutrition and routine checks for hypertension and diabetes.
Participants were urged to take advantage of free screening services provided at the venue as part of efforts to encourage early detection.
