The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe, have urged the federal government to increase the health budget.

They made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the first Bi-Annual Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child Adolescent and Elderly Health plus Nutrition (RMNCAEH+N) multi-stakeholder partnership coordination platform.

According to Mr Achebe, represented by the Emir of Shonga, Haliru Yahaya, it is wrong that the National Assembly’s budget is higher than that of education and health budgets combined.

Also, Mr Abubakar also urged the government and its partners to remain committed to improving the health and well-being of Nigerians, especially vulnerable populations.

The sultan, represented by the Emir of Argungu, Samaila Mera, pledged the continuous support of traditional and religious leaders to universal healthcare coverage.

Olorunnimbe Mamora, the minister of state for health, said as part of the RMNCAEH+N commitments, the government was working to ensure the availability of family planning commodities and services by launching the FP2030 commitment.

Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO country representative, assured Nigeria of continued support to meet the universal health coverage’s target.

(NAN)