The Centre for Media and Society has joined stakeholders across Nigeria to mark World Health Day 2026 with a strong call for urgent action to bridge the gap between health as a right and its reality for millions of Nigerians.
Aligning with the World Health Organization theme “Together for health” the organisation emphasized that access to quality healthcare must be treated as a fundamental human right rather than a privilege.
In a statement commemorating the day, CEMESO stressed that Nigeria stands at a critical point in its health development journey. The organisation noted that despite existing policies and international partnerships, the country continues to face systemic challenges that hinder equitable access to healthcare services particularly for vulnerable populations.
Executive Director of CEMESO, Akin Akingbulu, described the situation as a defining moment for the nation.
“Nigeria stands at a defining crossroads,” he said. “We have the policy frameworks, the reform momentum, and the international partnerships in place. What we have not yet matched these with is the sustained political will and the budgetary discipline to translate them into services that reach the last mile.”
He acknowledged notable progress recorded in the health sector, citing data from the Federal Ministry of Health which indicates that national interventions now prevent an estimated 18 million malaria cases annually. He also referenced achievements in tackling neglected tropical diseases, declining HIV infection rates, and increased enrollment in health insurance schemes.
Further highlighting progress, Akingbulu noted improvements in maternal health outcomes across high-burden communities, attributing the gains to targeted interventions. “That the science works is no longer in doubt,” he said, adding, “now the systems must work too,” underscoring the need to translate policy into practical results.
Despite these gains, he painted a stark picture of ongoing challenges. Nigeria life expectancy remains among the lowest globally, while maternal mortality rates continue to rank among the highest. Akingbulu stressed that a significant portion of healthcare costs is still borne by individuals, pushing many families into poverty.
“These numbers are not fate,” he stated. “They are the consequence of chronic underfunding, systemic inequity, and broken implementation chains. They are, above all, correctable if the will is there.”
He added that millions of Nigerians continue to face food insecurity and malnutrition, compounding the country’s health burden.
CEMESO identified strengthening primary healthcare and achieving universal health coverage as critical priorities. While acknowledging efforts to revitalize thousands of primary health centres and implement reforms such as the National Health Insurance Authority Act, Akingbulu warned that policy success must be measured by real-life impact.
“We must stop measuring progress by the number of frameworks signed and start measuring it by the experience of the nurse in a rural clinic, the mother who reaches emergency obstetric care in time, and the child who receives the vaccine that saves her life,” he said.
He also raised concerns about Nigeria’s healthcare workforce crisis, noting the widening gap between available professionals and population needs. With a doctor-to-patient ratio far below recommended standards, Akingbulu described the situation as critical to the survival of the health system.
“A health system is only as strong as the people who deliver it,” he said, calling for improved working conditions, training, and retention strategies for healthcare professionals. He also emphasized the role of data, communication, and journalism in strengthening health systems and improving outcomes.
Addressing broader determinants of health, Akingbulu urged stakeholders to rethink how health challenges are framed. “Health does not begin in the clinic,” he said. “It begins in the quality of the air people breathe, the safety of the water they drink, the food security of their households, and the equity of the communities they live in.”
CEMESO reiterated its commitment to supporting health transformation through media engagement, capacity building for journalists, and advocacy for accountable governance. The organisation pledged to amplify community voices and ensure that health policies translate into measurable improvements for citizens.
Calling for collective responsibility, Akingbulu urged policymakers, professionals, and citizens to act decisively. “We are asking policymakers to honour the Abuja Declaration in deed, not rhetoric,” he said. “We are asking every Nigerian to know that their right to health is non-negotiable.”
He concluded by emphasizing that the theme “Together for health” must move beyond rhetoric to action. “Nigeria has the blueprint for health transformation,” he said. “What this World Health Day must mark is the beginning of the end of excuses. Every Nigerian deserves a health system that sees them, serves them, and saves them.”