The United States has finalised a five-year bilateral health memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nigeria to strengthen the nations’ healthcare system with a strong focus on supporting Christian faith-based healthcare providers.
According to a US Department of State release, the agreement was signed on Tuesday and is anticipated to increase access to critical preventative and curative services, including as interventions for polio, HIV, TB, malaria, and maternity and child healthcare.
The US government stated that it plans to commit around $2.1 billion over five years under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding.
“Additionally, Nigeria will increase its domestic health expenditures by nearly $3 billion during the term of the MoU, the largest co-investment any country has made to date under the America First Global Health Strategy,” the statement reads.
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The agreement gives special attention to faith-based medical facilities, particularly those managed by Christians, which are crucial to the provision of healthcare in Nigeria.
According to the statement, “Nigeria’s 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals currently serve more than 30 percent of Nigerians,” adding that investments in these facilities are “uniquely positioned to complement efforts in public run facilities and strengthen Nigeria’s overall health infrastructure”.
The MoU was negotiated within the framework of Nigerian government reforms intended to prevent violence against Christian communities.
The statement also made a connection between Nigeria’s efforts to combat violence driven by religion and ongoing US assistance.
The US government has stated that the accord is still subject to its larger foreign policy interests.
“The Trump Administration expects Nigeria to continue to make progress ensuring that it combats extremist religious violence against vulnerable Christian populations,” the statement reads.
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“As with all foreign assistance, the President and Secretary of State retain the right to pause or terminate any programs which do not align with the national interest.
“The United States remains committed to signing multi-year bilateral MOUs on global health cooperation in the coming weeks with dozens of countries receiving U.S. health assistance.”
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