Global body names Saraki “Health-for-All Champion”

macfranc007 March 14, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Jerrywright Ukwu

- An international development media platform and social enterprise has named Toyin Saraki as one of four women making waves in global health

- She was also named “Health-for-All Champion”

- Receiving the accolade, she promised to use her position to advocate for the benefits of universal health care all around the world

Toyin Ojora Saraki, founder-president of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), has been named as “Health-for-All Champion” and one of four women making waves in global health by Devex, the international development media platform and social enterprise.

Upon receiving the accolade, Saraki canvassed for improving health outcomes as well as reducing poverty, driving economic growth and promoting gender equality around the world.

Her words: “It is time that we open our eyes to the critical role that universal health coverage can play in drastically improving health outcomes as well as reducing poverty, driving economic growth and promoting gender equality.

“Every year, roughly 100 million people around the world are pushed into poverty due to colossal health costs, while only 1 in 5 have social security protection that will cover lost wages in the event of an illness.

Toyin Saraki named as “Health-for-All Champion”

Mrs Toyin Saraki (on blues) continues to break new grounds.

“We must act to ensure that every person – rich or poor, old or young, living in urban or rural areas – has access to effective, timely and quality healthcare.

“I advocate for legislation and investment to make UHC a reality, and I am delighted that some recent progress has been made - the Nigerian Senate’s adoption of the one percent Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), is a ground-breaking example. We do, however, need to consolidate and build upon these achievements as a matter of urgency.”

She promised to use her position to advocate for the benefits of universal health care all around the world.

Saraki is a special advisor to the Independent Advisory Group (IAG) of WHO AFRO, the World Health Organization’s presence in Africa, and the wife of Nigeria's Senate President.

She recently expressed confidence in the ability of the federal government to rescue the over 110 girls abducted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents at the Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe.

Saraki expressed her optimism while fielding questions from newsmen during a visit to the Kwara state House of Assembly on Wednesday, February 28, in llorin.

N1,500 for health of Nigerians on NAIJ.com TV