74th UNGA: Toyin Saraki Meets World Leaders, Advocates Support For Universal Health Coverage

Mrs Toyin Saraki, the Global advocate and Founder-President of leading women and children’s health organisation, Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) has arrived New York , United States of America ahead of the 74th United Nations General Assembly and has begun high level meetings with world leaders.

Every year presidents, prime ministers, and other top delegates from more than 190 countries, along with key players from within the development sector convene in Manhattan to strategize on critical issues facing today’s world.

The theme of this year’s General Debate, set by Tijjani Muhammad-Bande of Nigeria, President of the 74th General Assembly is ‘Galvanising multilateral efforts for poverty eradication, quality education, climate action and inclusion’.

It is within the context of this general theme that Mrs Saraki delivered high-level advocacy speechesat the Concordia Summit on the role that public-private partnership can play to deliver UHC as well as scalable interventions for sexual and reproductive health and rights.

She also attended the her first Concordia Leadership Council meeting where she noted that she was optimistic following planning diuscussions on how Concordia’s activities can be further expanded in Nigeria.

Mrs Saraki noted that it is at events like this that we can attract investments that will create the opportunity for Nigerian youths to channel their entrepreneurship.

In a statement released by her office, Mrs Saraki stated.

‘On reflection, we achieved progress during and since the era of the Millennium Development Goals. However, to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals we have a long way to go. We face significant challenges, but our world is moulded by the collective promises and plans we make to address them. The United Nations General Assembly is an opportunity for thinkers, leaders and activists from around the world to take action, to learn, and to build the partnerships needed to drive progress.’

‘It is important to me to utilise the 74th General Assembly as an opportunity to accelerate progress to achieving Universal Health Coverage. Whole system support is essential to achieve universal health coverage. Every single person should have access to the care they need when they need it. No one should be forced to suffer financial hardship or forgo treatment because they cannot afford it. I look forward to a productive week ahead.’

Toyin Saraki started the week by joining Tedros Adhanom,  Director-General of the W0rld Health Organisation (WHO), along with thousands of people of all ages and abilities at Walk the Talk: The Health for All Challenge.

The walk is organized by the WHO, the United Nations, and the City of New York, and aims to promote healthy lifestyles within the city’s community and to advocate for the idea that everyone should have access to the care they need when they need it. This follows Toyin Saraki and Wellbeing Foundation Africa’s participation in Walk the Talk Abuja, earlier this month.

She is also expected participate in the One by One: Target 2030 conference’s Clean Water Access and Sanitation Panel, hosted by Access challenge and the African Union. She will be joined by Dr Mwele Ntuli Malecela, Director of Neglected Tropical Diseases at the World Health Organization (WHO), Angela Nguku Director of the White Ribbon Alliance, and other distinguished dignitaries.