Vice President Kashim Shettima Leads Charge for Self-Reliant Health Systems and 2 Million Community Health Workers by 2030

 

Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday urged African nations to prioritize health security sovereignty, shifting away from dependence on foreign aid and vulnerable global supply chains toward robust, self-sufficient, homegrown health systems.

Speaking at a high-level side event titled “Building Africa’s Health Security Sovereignty,” held on the margins of the ongoing AU summit, Shettima emphasized that Africa's health future must no longer be at the mercy of “the uncertainties of distant supply chains” or “the shifting priorities of global panic.” The event, convened in collaboration with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the African Union Commission, highlighted Nigeria's leadership as the AU Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership.

Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria's readiness to collaborate with other African countries, stating that the continent stands poised to “build a continent that can heal itself.” The initiative aligns with broader summit discussions on sustainable health financing, local pharmaceutical manufacturing, and reforming global health governance to better reflect African priorities.

This call comes amid ongoing efforts by Africa CDC and partners to advance the AHSS framework, which seeks to transition the continent from health dependency to true self-reliance. Nigeria's proactive stance underscores its role in driving continental health reforms, particularly in workforce development and immunization resilience.

The 39th AU Summit continues to address critical issues for Africa's development, with health sovereignty emerging as a pivotal theme for long-term security and prosperity.