FG Launches Nationwide Expansion of Specialised Healthcare Services
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has announced a major expansion of Nigeria’s healthcare system, aimed at increasing access to specialised medical services and reinforcing the country’s role in global health governance.
The new initiatives are expected to position Nigeria as a regional hub for advanced diagnostics, oncology, and cardiology, while strengthening its leadership in tackling global health challenges such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
In a statement on Thursday, the ministry said that the International Finance Corporation, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and MedServe (NSIA Advanced Medical Services Limited) signed a strategic agreement to accelerate the nationwide rollout of affordable diagnostics, oncology, and cardiology services.
“By bringing these services closer to patients, we expect to reduce medical travel, lower out-of-pocket costs, and improve health outcomes through earlier intervention and treatment,” the ministry stated.
The programme will include the expansion of advanced diagnostic centres, equipped with modern laboratory and imaging technologies, alongside the development of specialised oncology centres and advanced cardiac care facilities, including catheterisation laboratories, across multiple locations.
“This partnership reflects growing confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare reform and highlights the critical role of structured public–private collaboration in addressing long-standing gaps in the sector,” the ministry added.
In a related development, Nigeria is intensifying national and international coordination ahead of the High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance, scheduled for June 2026 in Abuja.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, led strategic engagements with Ministerial Global Envoy on AMR, Dr Ayoade Olatunbosun-Alakija, and Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, to ensure a whole-of-government approach to tackling AMR.
“AMR is a multidimensional threat affecting humans, animals, and the environment. By coordinating our efforts across ministries, we aim to tackle its drivers — including pharmaceutical and hospital waste, agricultural runoff, sanitation challenges, and water pollution — in a comprehensive manner,” Pate said.
The ministry also highlighted Nigeria’s participation in the AMR Troika coordination mechanism, promoting knowledge transfer, institutional continuity, and adoption of global best practices.
As the first African host of the global AMR ministerial conference, Nigeria plans to deliver practical commitments, implementation roadmaps, and accountability frameworks to accelerate action nationally, regionally, and globally.
“From expanding access to advanced diagnostics and specialised treatment to shaping global action on antimicrobial resistance, Nigeria continues to demonstrate that national health system transformation and global health leadership can advance side by side,” the ministry said.
These initiatives show Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its healthcare system while contributing meaningfully to global health solutions.
