By ABUJAH RACHEAL

Traditional and religious leaders in Nigeria have endorsed the “the Aso Rock Declaration on Health 2026”, pledging to support the nation’s health sector and accelerate progress toward universal health coverage.

The declaration was unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja, at the inaugural National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health, convened at the State House Banquet Hall, Asaba Villa, by President Bola Tinubu and the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the summit brought together leaders of diverse faiths, traditional rulers, and representatives from federal, state, and local governments, as well as civil society and development partners, to deliberate on the state of Nigeria’s health sector and the role of community leadership in national development.

Speaking, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, highlighted the summit as a historic platform for dialogue, reviewing progress in health investments, primary health care expansion, emergency obstetric services, nutrition, water and sanitation, and hospital infrastructure.

Pate emphasised that integrating traditional and religious leaders into health planning and implementation was essential to building trust, improving access, and promoting equitable health outcomes across the country.

“The declaration underscores the collective commitment of leaders to: Support comprehensive reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health services, including immunisation, HIV, TB, malaria, emergency obstetric care, and nutrition programs within communities.

“It welcomes and enables frontline and national health workers to perform their duties effectively and promote primary health care facility utilisation, accreditation, and community-level monitoring of services.

“It also engages multisectoral efforts to address social determinants of health, focusing on nutrition, clean water, sanitation, hygiene, and education of the girl child.

“Religious health facilities into local health systems and parliamentary networks to expand access to quality care for all populations.

“It fosters community participation in disease reporting, surveillance, and rapid outbreak response. Advocate for domestic resource mobilisation for health, including expanding health insurance schemes and promote climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable health practices,”.

He said that the declaration also calls on the government to maintain continuous engagement with traditional and religious leaders through a dedicated liaison officer within the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

“Participants recommended that the summit be institutionalised annually to sustain momentum, review progress, and renew commitments toward building a healthier Nigeria.,”.

He described the declaration as a milestone in national health governance, highlighting the role of shared responsibility between government, community leaders, and citizens in achieving sustainable health outcomes.

He said that the summit and the declaration align with the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, launched by President Tinubu in December 2023, and subsequent health sector compacts in 2024 and 2025, demonstrating political commitment to achieving universal health coverage and improving national health indicators.

“Through the declaration, we affirm our unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of all Nigerians. “This is a roadmap for inclusive, community-driven health action that leaves no one behind.,” he said. (NAN)