Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for greater private sector involvement in Nigeria’s healthcare reform efforts, emphasizing the critical role of strategic partnerships in addressing the sector’s challenges. Speaking on Saturday at the commissioning of the Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa Trauma Centre in Sagamu, Ogun State, VP Shettima highlighted the need for collaborative investment to enhance the nation’s health infrastructure.
The trauma center, which is a significant addition to Nigeria’s emergency care facilities, symbolizes the government’s commitment to saving lives and improving healthcare delivery. VP Shettima emphasized that while the government is dedicated to addressing gaps in healthcare, it cannot do so alone. He called on private sector players to contribute, citing the importance of shared responsibility in tackling the sector’s challenges.
VP Shettima also revealed that President Bola Tinubu has approved the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which includes the creation of over 8,800 new Primary Healthcare Centres and the upgrading of existing tertiary institutions to focus on trauma care, oncology, and infectious disease control. He stressed that as urbanization and industrial risks rise, trauma care has become a vital part of the nation’s health strategy.
Praising the Sulaiman Adegunwa Foundation for its philanthropic efforts, VP Shettima encouraged more businesses and individuals to follow suit and invest in nation-building. He described the trauma center as a model of private sector contribution to public health, noting that it was not just a personal gift from Alhaji Sulaiman Adegunwa, but a humanitarian gesture that would benefit countless Nigerians.
The inauguration coincided with Alhaji Sulaiman Adegunwa’s 80th birthday, celebrating both his personal achievements and his lasting impact on Nigeria’s healthcare landscape. VP Shettima reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to a National Health Insurance Scheme and a Digital Health Information Management System, ensuring that healthcare access and delivery are modernized to meet the needs of all Nigerians.
