The Israeli government has pledged to deepen its collaboration with Nigeria in advancing healthcare services, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria and Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Michael Freeman, made this known in Abuja on Friday during the Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Symposium. The event, themed “Bridging the Gap in Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary Surgery in Nigeria: Challenges and Strategies,” was organized by the Israeli Embassy in partnership with the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Health and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC).
Freeman said the initiative aims to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare sector, particularly in pancreatic disease treatment.
“When President Tinubu declared the Renewed Hope Agenda with health as a critical focus, we engaged Dr. Salma Anas, Special Adviser to the President on Health, to explore how Israel could contribute,” he said.
He noted that Israel deployed two leading surgeons to Nigeria, who performed four complex pancreas and liver surgeries during their visit.
Beyond pancreatic health, Freeman expressed optimism that the partnership would expand to include malaria treatment, eye care, and capacity building in the healthcare sector.
Dr. Anas described the collaboration as a crucial step in addressing liver and pancreatic diseases in Nigeria, stressing the importance of early detection to prevent complications such as cancer.
Medical Director of FMC, Prof. Saad Ahmed, commended the Israeli Embassy and Dr. Anas for selecting the centre as a hub for advancing healthcare services in Nigeria.
