In a groundbreaking collaboration, the University of Lagos and the Kingdom of the Netherlands came together on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, to address pressing challenges and the need for stronger health systems.
Vice Minister of Health from the Netherlands, Mrs. Conny Helder led the delegation of government officials, some members of the diplomatic corps, and researchers from the Dutch Global Health Hub to the University to engage in discussions about scaling up joint efforts in the field of global health.
The Consul-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria, Mr. Michel Deelen and his Deputy, Leonie Van der Stijl, were also in company of the Dutch government officials; and they were warmly received by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, and the management team.
Held at the Innovative Hub of the Faculty of Engineering, the discussion centered on working together for global health.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of University of Lagos Institute of Global Health Translation (UIGHT), Prof. Afolabi Lesi, emphasized the importance of coordinated and targeted actions to address global health challenges. He expressed UNILAG’s commitment to leverage its expertise and resources to make meaningful contributions to public health on a global scale.
The Renowned Paediatrician underscored the need for comprehensive strategies that address issues of immediate health and matters of long-term sustainability.
In her presentation, Mrs. Conny Helder seized the opportunity to inform the audience of the value that the Netherlands places on global health. She equally shared valuable insights on successful health system-strengthening initiatives implemented in the Netherlands such as the Dutch Global Health Hub.
The Minister stressed the importance of community engagement, technology integration, and capacity building as key pillars for sustainable health systems. According to her, the visit further accentuates her government’s commitment to work together with Nigeria towards achieving sustainable improvements in global health.
“By fostering collaboration between academia, government representatives, and research institutions, both countries are poised to make significant strides in addressing pressing health issues that affect communities worldwide” she added.
Other speakers include the Deputy Vice-Chancellor(Academic and Research), Professor Bola Oboh, who spoke on topics related to global health, including infectious diseases, healthcare infrastructure, research collaborations, capacity building initiatives and so much more. The exchange of ideas and experiences between the Dutch delegation and the University of Lagos officials laid the foundation for future partnerships that aim to drive positive change in public health outcomes.
Also, at the occasion, a 400-level student of the University, Mr. Emmanuel Arowesan, presented his designed product called “Billi-Wrapper”, which leverages technology to treat Jaundice, an underlying health problem common to new-born.
The exchange of ideas and best practices fostered a spirit of collaboration and inspired participants to think outside the box.
Discussions concluded with a Call to Action, urging stakeholders to prioritize investment in health systems and work together towards achieving universal health coverage for the citizens. Both the University of Lagos and the Dutch Global Health Hub expressed their commitment to continued collaboration and knowledge sharing to drive positive change in health systems worldwide.
The historic event, which is the latest of many partnerships that the University of Lagos has secured, serves as another milestone in global efforts to strengthen health systems and improve the well-being of communities.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Islamiat Akanni
