The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, has received the 2026–2027 Programme Budget Workplan of the World Health Organization (WHO) Nigeria, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s healthcare system through strategic collaboration with the global health body.
The workplan was presented during a high-level engagement in Abuja by a WHO delegation led by the WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Pavel Ursu.
According to the ministry, the 2026–2027 framework aligns with the WHO Country Cooperation Strategy for 2023–2027 and the WHO Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW14), providing a results-driven roadmap aimed at delivering measurable improvements across Nigeria’s health sector.
Key priority areas highlighted in the workplan include strengthening Primary Health Care, advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC), improving routine immunisation, sustaining gains from the polio transition programme, enhancing health security, and boosting International Health Regulations compliance.
The framework also focuses on improving equity and quality in healthcare delivery while accelerating the development of digital health systems across the country.
Officials said the workplan aligns with Nigeria’s broader national health agenda and includes commitments to quarterly implementation updates and measurable outcome reporting.
Speaking during the engagement, Pate commended the WHO for its transparency and sustained collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
According to the minister, the partnership approach provides the ministry with greater visibility, ownership, and accountability over WHO-supported programmes and interventions in the country.
Discussions at the meeting also covered Nigeria’s participation in the 79th World Health Assembly, WHO’s evolving strategy for strengthening subnational healthcare delivery, and preparations for the 5th High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance scheduled to hold in Abuja from June 29 to 30, 2026.
The engagement underscores the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to deepen international partnerships aimed at improving healthcare delivery and achieving better health outcomes for Nigerians.
