The president has released a statement towards the 14th-15th July 2013 African Heads of States review of the 2001 Abuja Declaration. Among other promises, Nigeria committed 15% of her annual budget to improve the health sector, which has not been fulfilled. The review will show how far we have (not) come.
“Africa has the power to combat HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria. In 2001, African Union Heads of State and Government converged in Abuja to review the threat that was then posed to the socio-economic gains on our continent by these three diseases. Issues discussed included those of leadership, resource mobilization, quality partnership, protection of human rights, poverty reduction, and health system strengthening including monitoring and evaluation; making firm commitments to evolve a holistic intervention to ensure a disease free continent.AU Member States with the support of our development partners have through the years sought to implement these commitments with significant results to demonstrate. However there have been challenges along the way and therefore we need as a continent to take stock of the road thus far.As we celebrate 50 years of existence of our continental organization, projecting a vision for the next 50 years, I extend my warm invitation to fellow AU Heads of State and Government, Development Partners and the Civil Society to the Special Summit of the African Union on HIV, TB and Malaria scheduled for July 2013.”Source: abuja+12.org