THE Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, has disclosed that the Federal Government is set to collaborate with the Developing Eight Organisations for Economic Cooperation (D-8) towards rehabilitation of health sector with Health Partnership and Social Protection Initiative.

The Minister said this recently in his office in Abuja during a courtesy visit by a delegation of D-8, headed by the secretary-general, Ambassador Dato' ka Jaafar ku Shaari.

Dr. Ehanire reiterated that it was a step in the right direction because 'Health is the cornerstone of Human capital development' adding that the collaboration would help in building the health sector and foster relationship as well as exchange ideas.

The secretary-general of the Developing Eight (D-8), Ambassador Dato' Kujaafar Kushaari, said that the D-8 is a formation aimed at economic cooperation and improvement of member states.

It was founded in 1997. Member states include Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.

He also disclosed that the visit was to felicitate the minister on his new appointment as Minister of Health, and encourage him to toe the line of his predecessor in supporting health partnership and social protection Initiative.

Also speaking, the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, whilst acknowledging the D-8's commitment towards fostering economic Development and cooperation within member states, thanked the ambassador and his delegates for coming to Nigeria, and wished them a pleasant stay while in the country.

© Pakistan Press International, source Asianet-Pakistan