Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Aaron Cole
Published on 2024-03-19 14:55:04
The Nigerian government has recently formed a partnership with Univercells SA, a Belgian company, to leverage biotechnology for the enhancement of the country’s health sector. This collaboration is aimed at bringing about a significant improvement in healthcare services in Nigeria. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nigerian government and Univercells SA was signed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, in Brussels.
The focus of the MoU is on the adoption of biotechnology in Nigeria to establish the necessary infrastructure for research, development, and manufacturing of essential medicines for both human and animal health. This strategic partnership is a crucial step towards achieving the goal of saving lives and providing affordable healthcare to all Nigerians.
Univercells SA encompasses various entities like Unizima SA, Quantoom Biosciences, Exothera, and RLM Consulting. Through this collaboration, Nigeria aims to accelerate the development of its biotechnology sector and enhance the availability and affordability of vital biotechnology products for its population. This partnership aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to bolster Nigeria’s health value chain and revamp the nation’s health product manufacturing ecosystem.
The government’s engagement with a diverse range of domestic and international companies is geared towards fostering the growth of new biotech capabilities in Nigeria, leading to job creation in the health and pharmaceutical sectors. There has been a notable interest from both public and private entities in collaborating with Nigeria to drive investments in the health sector and transform the healthcare value chain.
President Tinubu’s administration has embarked on collaborations with various national and international organizations to revamp the health sector. Strengthening governance and institutions, ensuring affordable and quality healthcare services, and promoting medical industrialization are among the key priorities outlined by Mr. Pate. The focus is on delivering preventive, promotive, and curative services at primary healthcare centers and hospitals across the country.
To enhance Nigeria’s health system, President Tinubu plans to increase grants for the health sector in the upcoming 2024 budget. This investment is part of the broader health sector renewal initiative aimed at providing improved and quality healthcare for all citizens. The administration intends to upgrade physical infrastructure, provide training for frontline health workers, and prioritize the delivery of quality health services.
In conclusion, the partnership with Univercells SA marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards leveraging biotechnology to transform its health sector. This collaboration, along with the government’s commitment to strengthening the health system, holds the promise of improving healthcare outcomes and ensuring affordable access to essential medicines for all Nigerians. As the government continues to prioritize healthcare investments, the country is poised to witness a positive transformation in its healthcare delivery.
Read the original article on Premium Times
