The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday approved four major health initiatives worth about N93.9 billion to strengthen healthcare delivery, disease control, and emergency medical services nationwide.
Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting in Abuja, presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
Pate said the FEC approved the upgrading of the Kaltungo Snakebite Treatment Centre into the National Snakebite Research and Medical Centre.
He said the centre would provide specialised treatment, research, training, and sustainable access to quality antivenom.
“Snakebite remains a significant yet neglected public health challenge, especially among farmers, herders, hunters, women, and children,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria records over 43,000 snakebite cases annually, resulting in deaths, disabilities, and severe socio-economic consequences.
“This will be the first specialised snakebite research and treatment centre in Nigeria and the sub-region,” Pate said.
The minister also announced the approval for the procurement of 10 compressed natural gas-powered blood donation mobile clinics for the National Blood Service Agency at a cost of about N6.9 billion.
He noted that Nigeria requires about 1.8 million units of blood annually but currently collects only 25 to 30 per cent.
The mobile clinics, he said, would improve blood collection, storage, and distribution, while supporting maternal healthcare, trauma management, surgeries, and cancer treatment across the six geopolitical zones.
FEC further approved N62 billion for the procurement of tuberculosis commodities to strengthen Nigeria’s response to one of the world’s highest TB burdens.
“Nigeria is among countries with the highest tuberculosis burden. Government is now taking responsibility for procuring these commodities,” Pate said.
He added that the approval would reduce dependence on foreign donors and pave the way for local production of tuberculosis medicines.
The minister also revealed FEC’s approval for the procurement of reproductive health and family planning commodities through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency at about N25 billion.
He said the initiative would improve maternal healthcare and voluntary family planning services nationwide, with commodities to be distributed through primary healthcare centres while supporting future local manufacturing.
Pate said the approvals underscore the administration’s commitment to improving healthcare access and strengthening Nigeria’s health system.
