The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved four key health projects on Monday, totaling about N93.9 billion. These initiatives aim to boost healthcare delivery, disease control, and emergency medical services across Nigeria.
Ali Pate, the coordinating minister of health and social welfare, shared these updates with journalists after the FEC meeting in Abuja, which was led by President Bola Tinubu.
Mr Pate announced that the FEC has decided to upgrade the Kaltungo Snakebite Treatment Centre into the National Snakebite Research and Medical Centre. He explained that this centre will offer specialized treatment, research, training, and reliable access to quality antivenom.
“Snakebite remains a significant yet neglected public health challenge, especially among farmers, herders, hunters, women, and children,” he noted.
According to him, Nigeria faces over 43,000 snakebite cases every year, leading to deaths, disabilities, and major socio-economic problems. “This will be the first specialized snakebite research and treatment centre in Nigeria and the sub-region,” Pate added.
The minister also mentioned that the FEC has approved the purchase of 10 mobile clinics powered by compressed natural gas for the National Blood Service Agency. This project, estimated at around N6.9 billion, aims to enhance blood collection, storage, and distribution across the country.
“We need about 1.8 million units of blood every year, but we currently collect only about 25 to 30 percent,” he revealed. The mobile clinics will aid maternal healthcare, trauma management, surgeries, and cancer treatment in all six geopolitical zones.
Tuberculosis and Family Planning Initiatives
FEC has also approved N62 billion for acquiring tuberculosis commodities to strengthen Nigeria’s response to its significant TB burden. “Nigeria is among the countries with the highest tuberculosis burden. The government is now taking responsibility for procuring these commodities,” he said.
He added that this approval will lessen reliance on foreign donors and promote local production of tuberculosis medicines. Furthermore, the minister stated that the FEC has also agreed to procure reproductive health and family planning commodities through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.
This initiative, valued at about N25 billion, aims to enhance maternal healthcare and voluntary family planning services nationwide. “The commodities will be distributed through primary healthcare centres while supporting future local manufacturing,” Pate explained.
He concluded by saying that these approvals show the administration’s commitment to improving healthcare access and strengthening Nigeria’s health system.
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