Nigeria Leads World in Preventive Healthcare with Digital Health Promotion 2.0
By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
Nigeria has taken a bold step toward transforming its healthcare system, becoming the first country in the world to institutionalize a National Health Promotion Day. The Federal Government said the initiative marks a turning point in national health policy from a curative to a preventive approach aimed at empowering citizens to live healthier, longer, and more productive lives.
Speaking at a press briefing to commemorate the 2025 edition of the event in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, described health promotion as the backbone of universal health coverage and sustainable national productivity. Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom mni, he said preventive healthcare offers the highest value for investment, noting that every ₦1 spent on prevention saves the nation ₦6 in treatment costs.
This year’s celebration, themed “Health Promotion: The Catalyst for Sustainable Health and Well-being of Nigerians 2.0,” reflects a renewed drive to modernize public health delivery. The minister explained that the “2.0” concept represents a digital upgrade in promoting wellness through mobile health applications, telemedicine platforms, and SMS awareness campaigns designed to reach even the most remote communities.
According to him, the National Health Promotion Policy developed by the Ministry provides a clear framework for strengthening health literacy, community awareness, and behavioral change. The policy focuses on preventive interventions for women, children, adolescents, and the elderly, while integrating health education into school curricula and community development programmes. He urged stakeholders at all levels to support the implementation and expansion of the policy nationwide.
In her remarks, the Director of the Family Health Department, Dr. Binyerem Ukaire, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes preventive healthcare as a key pillar of national development. She noted that promoting healthy lifestyles is the most sustainable and cost-effective way to reduce the nation’s disease burden, increase productivity, and improve citizens’ quality of life.
Ukaire called on Nigerians to take personal responsibility for their health by making informed choices on diet, exercise, hygiene, and environmental sanitation. She also commended local and international partners, including the World Health Organization, Society for Family Health, Nutrition International, and Pathfinder, for supporting government efforts to strengthen community health systems. The week-long commemoration features health talks, fitness activities, roadshows, and free medical screenings across the country to raise awareness on preventive care.
