In a significant move to advance sustainable development and improve public health services for the vulnerable population in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, recently visited the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The visit aimed to discuss strategic partnerships focused on achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing health as a critical enabler for alleviating poverty among the region’s inhabitants. Dr. Mulombo presented the 4th Country Cooperation Strategy 2023-2027, which will shape WHO’s intervention strategies in Nigeria and the nine NDDC-focused states, including Rivers.
During the courtesy visit to Governor Fubara, Dr. Mulombo highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts between international organizations, local governments, and development agencies to address the pressing health challenges facing Rivers State. He commended the Governor’s healthcare interventions aimed at achieving the SDGs and ensuring good health and well-being by 2030. The Governor reiterated the state’s dedication to achieving the SDGs and pledged substantial budgetary allocations to healthcare in the 2025 budget to drive sector activities.
In a separate visit to the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Dr. Mulombo emphasized the importance of partnering to address prevalent health challenges in the region, particularly climate change and air pollution. The discussions centered on leveraging health initiatives to drive progress across various SDGs, including poverty, education, and economic growth.
Dr. Mulombo disclosed that the NDDC has finalized a partnership agreement with WHO to accelerate healthcare coverage and financial risk protection for the poor and vulnerable population towards universal health coverage (UHC) in the Niger Delta Region. The project will be implemented in three phases: identifying and registering vulnerable individuals, enrolling one million citizens into health insurance, and strengthening capacity for health security in the NDDC states.
While praising the NDDC and Rivers State Government for their ongoing efforts, Dr. Mulombo stressed the need for a more integrated approach that places health at the forefront of development strategies. He emphasized the importance of strengthening healthcare infrastructure, training healthcare workers, and increasing public awareness about preventive health measures.
Both the NDDC and the Rivers State Government expressed their commitment to partnering with WHO to enhance health outcomes in the region. The NDDC highlighted its ongoing projects aimed at improving healthcare delivery, such as constructing health centers and providing medical supplies. Dr. Ogbuku outlined the NDDC’s health interventions, including free medical outreach, solar-powered boreholes, cholera vaccines, and commissioning ambulances for the region.
The visit concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to intensify efforts towards achieving the SDGs, particularly focusing on health. A highlight of the meeting with the NDDC was the commissioning ceremony of 13 ambulances for distribution to hospitals in its nine mandate states.
