National Health Leaders Commit to a Unified Path for Health Sector Progress

In an unprecedented gathering, Nigerian health leaders, state commissioners, and development partners came together at the first Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review, underscoring a renewed commitment to improving Nigeria’s healthcare system.

 

READ ALSO:Health Ministry urges Media to Advocate for public health centred Drug Control Framework

 

Led by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, the review highlighted the importance of cooperative efforts between federal and state entities.

“Notably, all 36 state commissioners played a pivotal role in shaping a strategic blueprint focused on governance, primary healthcare access, health security, and economic upliftment through the health sector”. He said.

 

 

The Minister praised the collective efforts of health officials and development partners, acknowledging their vital contributions. He noted that the framework builds on recent successes, including reductions in infectious diseases and a 16.7% drop in under-five mortality.

 

“The initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to making healthcare affordable and accessible to all Nigerians, marked by a historic increase in health budget allocations”. He added.

“Other key achievements include disbursements to over 8,000 primary healthcare facilities, the training of 40,000 frontline health workers, and advancements in maternal health initiatives across 174 local governments. Health sector stakeholders also launched the “State of Health” report and the Health Vulnerability and Adaptation report to address future challenges, including climate change impacts on health outcomes”. He noted.

Prof. Pate said the review culminated in a call for continued collaboration across all levels of government and society, setting a unified path forward in achieving sustainable, quality healthcare for all Nigerians.

 

 

The Minister outlined a four-pillar strategy as Nigeria’s blueprint for health improvement, which includes effective governance, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, preventive health measures, and enhanced health security.

“This comprehensive plan has already yielded results, with significant reductions in under-five mortality and major disease rates, furthermore, Nigeria has made strides in health system transparency and accountability, as evidenced by the launch of the State of Health Report, which provides an evidence-based assessment of health performance across states. The Minister also highlighted the Public Perception Survey and the Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Report, underscoring Nigeria’s commitment to address health impacts of climate change”. He added.

As Nigeria looks to the future, the Coordinating Minister called upon all stakeholders, including state governors, health workers, and citizens, to actively engage in strengthening healthcare, reaffirming the government’s dedication to achieving equitable, high-quality healthcare for all Nigerians.

Representing the Nigerian Governors Forum, the Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodinma commended Prof. Pate’s “visionary leadership” and the unprecedented cooperation between federal and state health bodies, noting that such synergy is crucial to addressing the pressing health challenges in Nigeria.

“This close collaboration is vital to achieving the progress we so urgently need in Nigeria’s health sector,” he stated, encouraging continued unity.

 

 

Governor Uzodinma highlighted the sector-wide approach (SWAP), an initiative designed to streamline budgeting, planning, and reporting in health. He referred to the Health Sector Renewal Compact signed in December 2023 by President Bola Tinubu, which unites federal, state, and local governments under a shared goal of universal health coverage.

Gov. Uzodinma said, “The compact is a powerful demonstration of our collective commitment to universal health coverage,” emphasizing the need for collaboration across all levels to reach health goals and address Nigeria’s persistent issues with infant mortality and malnutrition.

He acknowledged the critical support from international development partners, such as WHO and UNICEF, which contribute to minimizing program fragmentation and enhancing resource efficiency. “Their cooperation is critical towards reducing program fragmentation and maximizing resource efficiency,” Uzodinma remarked.

Governor Uzodinma assured stakeholders of the Nigerian Governors Forum’s dedication to health sector reforms. He stressed the Forum’s commitment to tracking progress through a dedicated scorecard system.

“Together, we will build a more resilient, inclusive, and effective health care system that meets the needs of our people,” he affirmed.

 

 

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo emphasized the need for greater accountability and funding in Nigeria’s health sector to support primary healthcare and vulnerable groups, highlighting the National Assembly’s commitment to improving measurable health outcomes through a new accountability framework.

“Stakeholders, governments, politicians, community people, it’s about accountability,” Banigo remarked, lauding the revised framework that aims to strengthen oversight and identify gaps in health service delivery.

Sen. Banigo commended the Federal Ministry of Health for effectively utilizing the Vulnerable Group Fund (VGF), newly appropriated in the 2024 budget, to provide free surgeries for women suffering from Obstetric Fistula.

She noted her recent visit to Bauchi State’s Fistula Hospital, where she observed firsthand the positive impact of the VGF on women’s health.

Reaffirming primary healthcare as the “cornerstone” of Nigeria’s health system, Banigo stressed the need to ensure that resources allocated to primary healthcare centers yield visible results.

She also called for a substantial increase in the health sector budget, aspiring to align with the Abuja Declaration’s 15% budget target, which Nigeria has yet to achieve.

“We’ve made progress this year, but we want to see much more of the domestic budget dedicated to health,” she added, signaling the Senate Health Committee’s ongoing commitment to supporting Nigeria’s renewed health agenda.

 

 

The National Coordinator of Nigeria’s Sector Wide Approach (SWAP), Dr. Muntaqa Sadiq spotlighted a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s health sector, underscoring the human impact of a new unified plan designed to enhance healthcare delivery across the nation.

In his speech, Dr. Sadiq highlighted how, for the first time, 26 states are working under a single, cohesive framework to address critical health issues, saying, “For the first time, Nigeria can speak about one plan, an important principle of sector wide leverage.”

This unified approach, he noted, was created to target some of Nigeria’s most pressing health challenges, including high maternal and COVID-19 mortality rates.

“By aligning state-level health systems, the framework aims to deliver better, more consistent care, particularly to vulnerable populations, what we have tried to do is to improve governance, convert resources, align efforts, and provide the impact on population health outcomes,” Dr. Sadiq explained, pointing to the potential for real, measurable improvements in patient care.

 

The framework is built on a “one plan model, designed to streamline efforts and ensure accountability. Dr. Sadiq emphasized that this collaborative structure offers a path to lasting health reforms, delivering hope for families and communities across Nigeria as they stand to benefit from more efficient and impactful healthcare services.