FG, US Sign $5.1bn Agreement On Bilateral Health Cooperation • Channels Television

The United States has signed a five-year, $5.1 billion bilateral Health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria.

A statement titled, ‘Strengthening U.S.-Nigerian Health Cooperation under the America First Global Health Strategy’, by the US mission in Nigeria on Sunday, said the MoU is to advance the America First Global Health Strategy, supporting resilient, self-reliant, and durable Health systems while promoting accountability and shared responsibility.

Under the five-year MOU, the United States intends to commit nearly $2.1 billion in Health assistance, with nearly $3.0 billion in new domestic Health expenditures by the Government of Nigeria over the same five-year period.

This represents the largest co-investment any country has made to date under the America First Global Health Strategy and underscores Nigeria’s commitment to greater national ownership of its Health system, the statement said.

Under the MOU, the United States said it will continue to support surveillance and outbreak response, laboratory systems, Health commodities, frontline healthcare workers, and data systems.

Nigeria faces significant Health challenges, including one of the highest maternal and child mortality rates globally and approximately 30 per cent of the global malaria burden.

U.S. said its assistance under the MOU will expand access to affordable, preventive, and curative services for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, polio, and maternal and child health, strengthening Health outcomes across Nigeria.

The MOU places a strong emphasis on Christian faith-based healthcare providers, recognising their indispensable role in delivering care to communities in need.

“Nigeria’s more than 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals serve more than 30 per cent of the country’s 230 million people, often in areas where healthcare facilities are limited or absent.

“The MOU provides approximately $200 million in dedicated support to strengthen and support these Christian facilities, enhance workforce capacity, and expand access to integrated HIV, TB, malaria, and maternal child Health services.

“Investments in Christian faith-based Health institutions are uniquely positioned to complement public-sector facilities and reinforce Nigeria’s overall Health infrastructure.”

“The MOU was negotiated in connection with reforms undertaken by the Federal Government of Nigeria to prioritise the protection of Christian populations from extremist violence.”

The US, however, warned that it may terminate the programme if it deviates from its national interest.

“As with all U.S. foreign assistance, the President and Secretary of State retain the right to pause or terminate programs that do not align with U.S. national interests, and the United States expects Nigeria to continue making measurable progress in combating religiously motivated violence against Christian communities.”