Marking the occasion of World Health Day 2026, the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) has renewed its pledge to reform Nigeria’s healthcare landscape, emphasizing that quality medical care must be treated as a fundamental right rather than a privilege.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Committee Chairperson, Senator (Dr.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, underscored the Senate’s determination to address systemic challenges and improve service delivery across the federation. This year’s theme, “Together for Health: Stand with Science,” served as the backdrop for her call to prioritize maternal and newborn health areas she identified as critical to the nation’s development.
“Every Nigerian deserves access to competent, compassionate, and continuous care,” Senator Banigo stated. “Our goal is to ensure that quality healthcare is not a privilege for a few, but a fundamental human right for all citizens”.
As a medical professional herself, Senator Banigo highlighted several key areas where the Committee is focusing its legislative efforts:
Infrastructure Investment: Expanding and upgrading secondary and tertiary health facilities.
Human Capital: Enhancing the training and retention of healthcare professionals, with a specific focus on staffing underserved and rural communities.
Sustainable Financing: Securing consistent funding for health programs to align with global development targets.
Emergency Response: Strengthening the nation’s ability to react swiftly and effectively to health crises.
The Chairperson emphasized that the government cannot achieve these goals in isolation. She called for a robust synergy between development partners, civil society organizations, traditional institutions, and frontline healthcare workers.
By fostering these collaborations, the Senate aims to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and ensure that no Nigerian is left behind due to geographical or financial barriers.
Senator Banigo concluded her message with a call to action, urging stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and toward measurable impact.
“Let this day serve not only as a moment of reflection but as a call to action,” she stated, Happy World Health Day, “Together, we can build a nation where healthy beginnings truly lead to hopeful futures. Let us continue to work together to make health for all a reality.”
