Saraki awarded Academy fellow

The West African Academy of Public Health (WAAPH) has awarded a fellowship to founder of Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Mrs. Toyin Saraki.

It came after she chaired an investiture to inaugurate the academy’s 31-member strategy advisory board, chaired by former minister of state for health, Khaliru Alhassan.

It creates a vital link between Wellbeing, dedicated to reducing maternal and child mortality, and WAAPH, which strives for optimum public system across West Africa.

"At no time in our developmental history has regional cohesion been more important, given the health and wellbeing delivery challenges exacerbated by the migrants and refugees crises, to tackle regional challenges and proffer regional solutions," Saraki said in her acceptance speech after WAAPH president Francis Ohanyido handed her the certificate of fellowship.

"Research is a vital component for better health outcomes, to transform and advance our nations, in order to achieve the UN global goals. We must ensure that we improve and strengthen national and regional health data and accountability, which are essential in measuring national health impact, progress and spending.”

She said the range of experts on the board was encouraging, adding, "Let us continue to invest in healthcare in Africa and especially our own country, Nigeria, as this is an investment for our future and the future of our children, today.”