WHO’s Dr Mulombo Urges Nigeria To Accelerate Healthcare Reforms, Fears SDG Targets In Jeopardy

ABUJA – Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative to Nigeria, has raised alarm over the slow progress of Nigeria’s healthcare reforms, calling for urgent acceleration to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

According to him, only 17% of the SDG healthcare targets are on track, while the rest are at serious risk.

Speaking during a two day training initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO) to empower Journalists to drive the change narrative with compelling data-driven health story on Friday in Abuja, Dr. Mulombo stressed that Nigeria must move beyond pilot projects and focus on delivering large-scale, quality healthcare solutions.

“It’s time for implementation, quality, scale, and speed,” he said, urging for collective efforts from the government and communities to overcome challenges.

Dr. Mulombo cited Nigeria’s ranking of 187th out of 191 countries in healthcare performance as a significant concern. He pointed to factors such as inadequate funding, poorly trained healthcare personnel, and high costs of services as barriers that need immediate attention.

Journalists, he said, have a pivotal role in driving change by ensuring that the public receives accurate, evidence-based health information, especially in remote areas. “Journalists are the bridge between the public and the facts, and it is crucial that this bridge is built on the foundation of truth and responsibility,” Dr. Mulombo noted.

Given Nigeria’s prominence, representing nearly a third of Africa’s population, Dr. Mulombo emphasized that responsible reporting can shape both national and international perspectives on the country’s progress.

He called on journalists to collaborate closely with healthcare experts to ensure accurate information reaches the public, especially in light of global challenges like COVID-19, climate change, and economic downturns.

The WHO representative reaffirmed WHO’s support for Nigerian journalists, praising their resilience and encouraging them to maintain ethical and evidence-based reporting as Nigeria navigates its healthcare challenges.

Toyin Adebayo is dedicated professional with over a decade experience of covering news and current events.

My background lies in gathering and analyzing facts about newsworthy events through stories, features, interview, investigation, and observation. My reports have featured in many National Dailies and currently with INDEPENDENT Newspaper.

Toyin holds a BA Ed in English Education, a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, National Association of Women Journalist. Married with kids.