WHO, FAO, NCDC and others collaborate with UI to improve healthcare | The Guardian Nigeria News

USAID, FCMB partner in financing the private healthcare sector in Nigeria

The World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), the African Field Epidemiology Network, the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention , the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), CARTA and others have collaborated with the Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan (UI) to organize the third Ibadan Public Health Conference (IPHC), focusing on imperial healthcare in Nigeria.

Public health stakeholders in Nigeria, who spoke at the five-day conference with the theme: ‘One Earth, One Life, One Health’, stressed the need to promote the collective health of people, animals, plants and the world’s environment to improve. country.

They also agreed that adopting health as a policy and a way of life would ensure the sustainability of all life forms, the food chain and the environment in Nigeria.

Vice Chancellor of UI, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, who was represented by the Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Prof. Oyeronke Odunola, noted that the theme of the conference was a global yet locally relevant critical issue that should inspire collective action for a healthier and more sustainable future for everyone.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the conference, Prof. Elizabeth Oloruntoba, said the essence of the conference underlines a universal truth.

Dean of the UI Faculty of Public Health, Prof. Godson Ana, lamented in his speech that conflicts, ethnic strife and wars, among others, are polarizing the earth and causing settlement displacement, environmental pollution, climate change and diseases.

Meanwhile, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and First City Monument Bank (FCMB) signed an agreement to launch a $10 million credit facility aimed at increasing financial access for healthcare companies and transforming the healthcare sector in Nigeria.

USAID Mission Director Melissa Jones, who made the announcement at a ceremony at the FCMB Headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, reaffirmed the US Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare sector and private sector resilience with a new partnership agreement.

She said that under the terms of the agreement, USAID and the DFC would work with FCMB to facilitate $10 million in loans.

According to her, the new partnership will help FCMB expand access to finance for underserved borrowers, women and youth, the healthcare sector and small and medium enterprises across Nigeria.

“As evidenced by this partnership, the United States government is committed to continuing to work with the financial sector to improve access to credit for underserved borrowers, especially women and youth, to fuel economic growth,” said Melissa Jones, Director from USAID Mission.

“In addition to this healthcare loan portfolio, we are committed to working with FCMB to provide loans to the agriculture and renewable energy sectors through our existing partnerships,” she said.

Also speaking, FCMB Managing Director Yemisi Edun said: “I commend the DFC for its commitment to improving local access to quality healthcare. This partnership will help close the gap in healthcare financing. This means that more Nigerians will have access to better healthcare facilities. First City Monument Bank welcomes the opportunity to partner with healthcare providers and small and medium-sized businesses nationwide to build a healthier and more productive future for our country.”

The partnership aims to boost lending in the healthcare sector, lending to SMEs and lending to underserved populations.