UK, FG launch £235m health programme for 5 northern states

The United Kingdom Government, in collaboration with the Nigerian Government on Tuesday launched a programme worth £235m to strengthen the health systems of five northern states in eight years. The states for the programme were Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Borno and Yobe. Northern coalition backs ACF, says Buhari has failed Kaduna NGOs take steps to address […]

The United Kingdom Government, in collaboration with the Nigerian Government on Tuesday launched a programme worth £235m to strengthen the health systems of five northern states in eight years.

The states for the programme were Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Borno and Yobe.

• Northern coalition backs ACF, says Buhari has failed
• Kaduna NGOs take steps to address Almajirci in the North

The programme, tagged ‘Lafiya programme’, is aimed at saving lives, reducing suffering and improving economic prospects for the poor and most vulnerable in Nigeria.

Speaking during the launch of the programme at the British High Commission in Abuja, Director of Development at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Christopher Pycroft, said the programme was geared towards strengthening the health systems with particular focus on infant and maternal mortality as well as ensuring people had access to modern contraception.

The Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, said the partnership was a welcome development as Nigeria did not have the capacity and resources to do it alone.