Nigeria’s House of Representatives is set to increase budgetary allocations to the health sector following the United States’ decision to withdraw foreign aid, a move that could significantly impact public health programs across the country.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The 2025 budget currently earmarks N2.48 trillion for health, representing 4.99% of the N49.7 trillion national budget. However, lawmakers have raised concerns that this allocation may not be sufficient to mitigate the effects of the U.S. policy shift under President Donald Trump, which recently halted USAID funding for essential health initiatives, including maternal and child health, family planning, malaria prevention, and tuberculosis control.
In response, the House on Thursday directed its Committee on Health Services to review the 2025 appropriation bill to ensure adequate funding for critical programs that may be affected by the U.S. aid withdrawal.
Public Health Programs at Risk
Lawmakers expressed concerns that the cessation of U.S. funding could have severe consequences for millions of Nigerians, particularly the 1.9 million people living with HIV/AIDS, who depend on free antiretroviral therapy. The House warned that if the funding gap is not addressed, vital public health programs could suffer, leading to higher mortality rates and exacerbating existing health challenges.
Additionally, the reduction in external health funding could weaken Nigeria’s response to diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis, further straining the already fragile healthcare system.
Seeking Alternative Funding Sources
To cushion the impact, the House mandated its Committees on Finance and Foreign Affairs to explore alternative funding sources through partnerships with international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Union (EU), and private foundations. Lawmakers emphasized the need to secure sustainable funding to maintain essential health programs and prevent disruptions in service delivery.
The House also instructed the Ministry of Health to increase public awareness about the threats facing the health sector and ensure efficient resource utilization across all affected ministries and agencies.
With millions of Nigerians at risk, lawmakers stressed the urgency of mobilizing domestic and international resources to sustain lifesaving healthcare initiatives and protect the nation’s public health system.
