By Micheal Eyibio
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation on Monday expressed optimism that the indigenous health social innovations when fully developed, would contribute positively in bridging and improving healthcare delivery gap in the country.
The unveiling was done by the Minister in charge of the Ministry, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu in Abuja at its Headquarters in Abuja.
The innovation, according to the media department of the ministry in a statement signed by Otuyemi Adetayo, on behalf of Josephine Ademu, said this was made possible through the Social Innovation in Health (SIHI) Nigeria Hub, a branch of the SIHI global network, which is domiciled under the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Onu who expressed happiness at the high level of Nigerians’ ingenuity, said: “The top three social innovations in health that have emerged from the various selection stages put in place by SIHI Nigeria in collaboration with FMSTI are remarkable because they are all home-grown solutions.”
He further pledged to support the social innovations in health and called on the Organised Private Sector (OPS), to partner with SIHI, adding that the partnership and support will ensure these innovations become Nigeria’s branded innovative solutions to the world.
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Prof. Charles Esimone, said that social interventions should be focused on solving local challenges.
He urged the Organised Private Sector (OPS), to invest more and partner with social innovation programs.
The team leader of SIHI, Prof. Emeritus Obioma Nwaorgu in her speech, said social intervention in health initiative helps to address the health care delivery gap.