Niger is actively pursuing a path toward comprehensive health sovereignty, a commitment reiterated by Colonel Major Garba Hakimi, the nation’s Minister of Health and Public Hygiene. Speaking to ANP on Saturday, November 29, in Dakhla, Morocco, at the conclusion of the inaugural African summit on health systems and health sovereignty, Minister Hakimi emphasized this strategic national objective.
This drive for healthcare independence aligns perfectly with the overarching vision of Niger’s highest authorities, including General Abdourahmane Tiani, President of the Republic and Head of State, as well as the Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance. These leaders are spearheading significant investments and reforms within the health sector.
Substantial progress has already been made, particularly in developing robust infrastructure across the country. Recent years have seen the construction of numerous hospitals and integrated health centers nationwide. Minister Hakimi underscored that these foundational facilities are crucial for strengthening primary healthcare at the community level, asserting that a resilient health system cannot exist without adequate basic infrastructure to support primary care services.
Further supporting this national health strategy is the acquisition of advanced medical equipment, representing considerable investments across Niger. This initiative aims to empower medical professionals and technicians to deliver precise diagnostics and effective curative care. Beyond equipment, a strong emphasis is placed on human capital development. The Minister noted the importance of specialized training and continuous professional development for healthcare personnel, ensuring they are proficient in utilizing these modern tools.
The Nigerien government’s proactive approach includes substantial budgetary allocations to the health sector. Additionally, measures such as free healthcare services for specific vulnerable social groups and a 50% reduction in treatment costs at public health facilities have been implemented. Minister Hakimi highlighted that these initiatives, including free childbirth services and care for children under five, coupled with widespread infrastructure development, significantly improve access to healthcare for all citizens.
This progressive momentum is designed to propel Niger towards achieving universal health coverage, a widely advocated goal by global health authorities. “I believe that in Niger, we are fully engaged in this dynamic, and, God willing, we will succeed,” he affirmed.
Reflecting on the Dakhla summit’s outcomes, Minister Hakimi acknowledged that African experts spent 48 hours meticulously reviewing the continent’s health systems. While progress was noted, numerous challenges were also identified, primarily the inherent fragility of existing health systems, coupled with issues in governance and funding.
For the Nigerien official, merely identifying challenges is insufficient; the focus must shift to adopting effective strategies for building a robust, resilient, and high-performing health system capable of achieving health sovereignty. “These are the essential conditions for us to truly advance towards this healthcare independence,” he stressed.
The Minister further praised the summit as an “excellent success,” allowing participants to recognize and embrace the vision of His Majesty the King of Morocco for a health-sovereign Africa. As part of this vision, Minister Hakimi participated in the inauguration of the African Academy of Health Sciences’ headquarters on Saturday morning.
He elaborated that Morocco’s commitment to this endeavor involves constructing university hospitals, medical universities, and other healthcare training facilities, including a comprehensive medical complex in Dakhla that delegates visited. Colonel Major Garba Hakimi emphasized, “Human resources are profoundly important for health sovereignty; a solid, robust, and high-performing health system is unattainable without quality human resources.” He expressed his belief that “this vision of His Majesty the King should be embraced by other heads of state to truly enable Africa to progress.”
The Minister of Health and Public Hygiene recalled past initiatives by heads of state recommending that 15% of national budgets be allocated to health. This funding, he argued, is vital for acquiring necessary equipment, developing sufficient human resources, and building a strong health system that can achieve the desired health sovereignty. “We must not rely on aid from others, whether from the West or our partners, to achieve sovereignty. It is possible; we just need to make the effort,” Colonel Major Garba Hakimi asserted.
He also noted a growing awareness among countries regarding the need for innovative financing mechanisms, beyond traditional budgetary allocations, to forge strong health systems.
The Minister expressed optimism about the Dakhla declaration’s roadmap, which is structured around five key pillars: Epidemiology; Human Capital/Training; Research and Innovation; Financing/Governance; and Infrastructure and Equitable Access. “I believe that by focusing on these five axes, we can achieve the much-sought-after health sovereignty. It is absolutely achievable. The main thing is for us to get back to work,” he concluded.
The first African summit on health systems and health sovereignty, held in Dakhla from November 28-29, gathered approximately 200 African experts to deliberate on healthcare independence, a project strongly supported by the King of Morocco.
