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Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum and leaders of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy are urging robust investment in healthcare transformation which they said remains a powerful driver of national development.
They affirmed that when the nation’s healthcare systems were transformed to be more efficient, equitable, and technologically advanced, they created the foundation for a prosperous and resilient society.
The leaders stated this during the academy’s 10th-anniversary celebration and investiture of new Fellows, which took place recently at the University of Lagos.
Speaking on the theme, “Healthcare Transformation for National Development”,Zulum who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Usman Kadafur, said national development becomes more inclusive when all citizens have access to their basic healthcare needs.
The governor said, “As nations face global challenges, investing in healthcare transformation will be vital to unlocking sustainable development and a brighter future for all.
“Healthcare is one of the most critical pillars of any society, serving as a foundation for individuals’ well-being and economic growth. When a nation invests in transforming its healthcare system, it invests in its people and ultimately, its future.
“A robust, accessible and efficient healthcare system fosters a healthy workforce, enhances productivity, reduces poverty and contributes to societal stability.”
Zulum who was honuored with a NAPharm Honorary Fellowship also underscored the link between healthcare transformation and reduction in the economic burden of disease, stressing that the costs associated with poor health could be immense.
“This essay explores how healthcare transformation drives national development by examining its impact on economic growth, social equity, human capital development, and technological innovation.
“A healthy population is the bedrock of economic growth. When individuals are healthy, they can participate more actively in the workforce, boosting productivity and contributing to national prosperity.
“Healthcare transformation, mainly through improved access to quality medical care and preventive services, reduces the disease burden and ensures citizens can work longer and more efficiently as explained below”, he said.
The governor noted that chronic illnesses, preventable diseases, and inadequate healthcare could reduce labour force participation, increase absenteeism, and diminish overall productivity.
“When healthcare systems are weak, the economy suffers from a loss of human capital, as workers may be forced to retire early or reduce their working hours due to illness”, Zulum said.
According to him, healthcare transformation addresses these challenges by providing timely interventions, promoting preventive healthcare, and ensuring that diseases are managed effectively.
The outgoing President of NAPharm, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, in his remarks, said healthcare is one of the most critical pillars of any society, serving as a foundation for individuals’ well-being and economic growth.
The pharmacists said, “When a nation invests in transforming its healthcare system, it invests in people, the most critical asset of a country and ultimately, in its future.
“Healthcare transformation is a powerful driver of national development. By improving the health and well-being of citizens, healthcare systems contribute to economic growth, social equity, human capital development, and technological innovation.
“ When healthcare systems are transformed to be more efficient, equitable, and technologically advanced, they create the foundation for a prosperous and resilient society.”
At the NApharm 10th investiture, nine eminent pharmacists were admitted as Fellows thereby bringing the total number of Fellows to 133.
The high point of the event was the announcement of Professor Lere Baale as the new NApharm president.
The event also witnessed the unveiling of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy Innovation Centre and the inauguration of the new executive committee of the academy, headed by Baale.
