Nigeria and the United States have signed a five-year health memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s health system, with strong attention given to Christian faith-based health facilities.
Gatekeepers News reports that the agreement, signed on Tuesday, is expected to improve access to preventive and treatment services, including HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health care, and polio programmes, according to a statement from the US Department of State.
Under the arrangement, the US government said it plans to commit close to $2.1 billion over the five years to support health interventions across the country.
The statement reads, “Additionally, Nigeria will increase its domestic health expenditures by nearly $3 billion during the term of the MoU, the largest co-investment any country has made to date under the America First Global Health Strategy.”
The MoU places special focus on faith-based health institutions, particularly Christian-run clinics and hospitals, which are described as key contributors to healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The statement added that Nigeria’s 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals currently serve more than 30 percent of Nigerians, noting that investments in such facilities are uniquely positioned to complement efforts in public-run facilities and strengthen Nigeria’s overall health infrastructure.
The agreement was negotiated against the backdrop of reforms by the Nigerian government aimed at protecting Christian communities from violence, with the statement linking continued US support to progress made in addressing religiously motivated attacks.
The US government also noted that the deal remains subject to its wider foreign policy objectives and national interest considerations.
The statement added, “The Trump Administration expects Nigeria to continue to make progress ensuring that it combats extremist religious violence against vulnerable Christian populations.”
“As with all foreign assistance, the President and Secretary of State retain the right to pause or terminate any programs which do not align with the national interest.”
“The United States remains committed to signing multi-year bilateral MOUs on global health cooperation in the coming weeks with dozens of countries receiving U.S. health assistance.”
