Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this on Wednesday at the inaugural Nigeria National Self-Care Conference held at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites in Abuja.

The conference, organised by the National Self-Care Coordination Committee, was held under the theme, “Self-Care Puts Your Health in Your Hands: Test. Track. Thrive.” Salako was also appointed National Self-Care Ambassador at the event.

The minister described self-care as an important part of modern healthcare, explaining that it enables individuals to take a more active role in maintaining their health through reliable information, appropriate tools and informed decisions.

He said self-care extends beyond hospitals and clinics to homes, workplaces and communities, covering healthy living, disease prevention, appropriate self-testing and the responsible management of personal well-being.

However, Salako stressed that self-care should not be seen as a substitute for professional medical attention or as a reason for government to withdraw from its responsibility to provide accessible, affordable and quality healthcare. Rather, he said, it should complement existing health services and help people make better-informed decisions about their health.

The minister also cited his recent research, which is awaiting publication, indicating that electronic self-management education and support can encourage people living with Type 2 diabetes to improve their self-monitoring, diet, physical activity and medication management.

According to him, integrating self-care into primary healthcare could strengthen maternal and reproductive health services, improve the management of non-communicable diseases, support mental well-being and expand access to health information in underserved communities.

Salako further highlighted the importance of preventive health practices amid efforts to contain an imported case of Ebola confirmed in the Federal Capital Territory on October 20, 2026. He urged Nigerians to practise regular hand hygiene, observe appropriate disinfection measures and cooperate with public health officials.

He explained that the conference theme provides a practical framework for encouraging healthier habits. The “Test” component promotes early awareness of health conditions, including hypertension and diabetes, which may go unnoticed without appropriate screening.

The “Track” component encourages individuals to monitor relevant health indicators, follow prescribed medication and maintain healthy routines, while “Thrive” represents the broader objective of healthier individuals, stronger families and more resilient communities.

The minister called on federal, state and local governments to take deliberate steps towards incorporating evidence-based self-care into primary healthcare services. He also urged authorities to train healthcare workers, strengthen community health education, improve access to quality-assured health products and protect the public from misleading health information.

He said digital communication and artificial intelligence could help make self-care information and applications more accessible, noting that Nigeria’s extensive mobile telecommunications reach offered opportunities to connect more people with useful health resources.

Salako emphasised that these initiatives must be designed to ensure that access to self-care is not restricted by income, disability, gender or geographical location.

He also urged state governments to incorporate self-care into their health policies, healthcare professionals to guide the safe use of self-care interventions, development partners to support sustainable funding and researchers to produce evidence relevant to Nigeria’s needs.

The minister called on private-sector organisations to prioritise the affordability and quality of health products, while traditional leaders and the media were encouraged to help build public trust and promote accurate health information.

He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to advancing self-care through supportive policies, public education, regulation of relevant products and the integration of appropriate self-care tools into primary healthcare.

The conference is expected to help turn discussions on self-care into practical commitments that can improve health outcomes and widen access to preventive healthcare across the country.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia