Abuja — British Government has said it will donate £148million to support the Federal Government of Nigeria and selected states, to help build up health systems by identifying where money should be spent and the services people need most.

The funding will also provide technical support to the Nigerian health service.

According to a press statement released by the British High Commission in Abuja, the initiative, known as Partnerships for Transforming Health Systems 2 - (PATHS2 - ), will work to enhance government provided health care, as well as services provided by NGOs and the private sector.

"The £148million will help ensure better services across the country, not just in the cities - but also in rural clinics to support pregnant mothers and provide immunisations to children; better government planning and management - ensuring that money is spent where health needs are greatest; more focus on preventative health support, not just treatment, to ensure people are better prepared to fight disease and illness; more training of staff and new incentive packages to retain doctors and nurses in the poorest areas; faster and better managed flow of drugs across all states.

"The scheme, which is expected to boost the use of health facilities by 25per cent, reaching 30million people living across six states, will also provide £21 million worth of drugs and medical equipment to more than 1,500 clinics and hospitals, with a focus on maternal and child health.

"With the programme's money in partnership with other initatives, the number of births where skilled birth attendants are present will rise from just a third to over a half, while full immunisation rates will rise from 18per cent to 60per cent, to slash infant mortality.," the statement noted.