Uche Amanowu, Gates Foundation country director in Nigeria
The Gates Foundation says there is a need for a renewed commitment from both the government and the media to strengthen Nigeria’s primary healthcare (PHC) system, describing it as the “foundation of survival and dignity” for millions of citizens.
Uche Amanowu, the Gates Foundation’s country director, spoke in Abuja on Thursday at a ‘High level health media dialogue’ with the theme ‘Advocacy solutions to improve PHC delivery and health outcomes in the Nigeria project’.
The event was organised by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) in collaboration with the federal ministry of health and social welfare and EngenderHealth.
Amaonwu said the discussion was timely, noting that Nigeria’s future depends on how effectively the country invests in its PHC system, which, according to him, is the anchor for maternal, newborn, and child health.
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When a mother walks into a PHC clinic in Kano, right, or a father brings a child for vaccination in Kaduna, they are not only seeking treatment,” he said.
“They are actually placing their trust in a system, a system that represents the state’s promise to protect life.
“But the sad reality is that often that trust is broken right by underfunded facilities, by shortages of staff, by shortages of essential medicines, and by governor’s gaps right that come that leave a lot of communities underserved.”
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While commending both federal and state authorities for increasing funding for primary healthcare, Amaonwu said Nigeria still falls short of the 15 percent budgetary allocation to health pledged under the Abuja Declaration.
“Yes, Nigeria has done a really tremendous job, and I must commend both the honourable coordinating minister of health and the states here present for increasing substantially the amount of funds allocated to primary healthcare,” he said.
“We are still falling short of the Abuja declaration of 15, so we can do more. And we have seen a lot that has been done.
Amaonwu also noted the critical role of the media in driving accountability and sustaining public attention on health system performance.
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“The media are not bystanders — they are accountability partners,” she said. “When journalists track health budgets, investigate stock-outs, or spotlight unpaid health workers, they turn public policy into public awareness. That awareness can drive action from leaders.”
He added that the Gates Foundation remains committed to working with the Nigerian government and partners to ensure that every family has access to a well-financed and functional primary healthcare system.
“Let today mark a turning point where words become commitments, commitments become actions, and actions save lives,” Amaonwu said.
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