Today in Abuja H.E Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki addressed the THISDAY Newspaper dialogue on the journey towards Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria.

Having been recently named by Devex as a Global UHC Champion, Mrs Saraki was speaking as Founder-President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), Global Goodwill Ambassador for the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and Special Adviser to the Independent Advisory Group (IAG) of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Office for Africa (AFRO).

Mrs Saraki joined the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghabreyaesus, Professor Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health and other high-profile speakers in the analysis of Nigeria’s progress and future healthcare trajectory.

In her speech on ‘What Women Want’, Mrs Saraki addressed the healthcare deficiencies faced by women: “Women want experienced and well-paid health workers who provide respectful care, so that they are able to trust the services they receive. Women do not want pockets of excellence or monthly activities, but a routine health care system that ensures optimum standards of care at all times.”

“They also want to feel that the fee to register a birth will be the first fee for a health insurance package that will care for the child.”

Dr. Tedros, who today announced Nigeria’s new Basic Health Care Provision fund card - known as 'HUWE' – commented: “Human health is an end in itself. It is a right but also a means to prosperity. Not investing in UHC is therefore not an option.”

The event, hosted by THISDAY newspaper, was co-organized by the Federal Ministry of Health, the World Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, UNFPA and USAID/ the Health Finance & Governance Project (HFG).

Yesterday evening Mrs Saraki attended a dinner hosted by WHO and Professor Isaac Adewole. Mrs Saraki commented: “I welcome the leadership shown by the WHO on UHC and I echo their call on all Governments to honour the commitments made to provide healthcare for everyone, everywhere.”

“We know that UHC will not only improve health, but also reduce poverty, create jobs, drive economic growth, promote gender equality and protect populations against epidemics.”