Written by Fausiat Bakare, Nigeria ONE Champion
“If Coca-Cola can get to every rural community, why can’t healthcare get to that same community so everyone gets access?” — Her Excellency Toyin Saraki, Founder and President of Wellbeing Foundation Africa.
The #MakeNaijaStronger wrap party was not your typical party. Yes, we took selfies, danced with members and ONE Champions (don’t forget the very fancy finger foods), but it was also a gathering of advocates who had worked tirelessly for years to bring accessible healthcare to all Nigerians.
Our campaign advocated for the release of the 1% Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) allocated for Basic Health Care Provision Fund under the National Health Act 2014 by the Federal Government of Nigeria. This amounts to N50.79 billion in the 2018 budget.
Her Excellency Toyin Saraki (left) and Senator Lanre Tejuosho (right).
The event was attended by the Founder and President of Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Her Excellency Toyin Saraki, Chairman of the Health Committee at the Nigerian Senate, Senator Lanre Tejuosho, and ONE Ambassadors Desmond Elliot and Bisola Aiyeola.
ONE Ambassadors Bisola Aiyeola (left) and Desmond Elliot (right).
There were many beautiful things said during the celebrations, but the primary goal of the wrap party was to deliberate on the successful expenditure of the funds released to enhance the lives of Nigerians by improving our healthcare system. By the end, all stakeholders at the party were clamouring for even more funding to go to primary health centres in Nigeria. After all, the centres are the first point of contact for the average Nigerian accessing health services.
Health care must continue to be improved if we want to achieve universal health for all in Nigeria. After all, it is our basic human right to have access to quality health services.
