The 65th National Council on Health (NCH), themed “Accelerating Pathways to Universal Health Coverage: Strategies for 2030 Success,” convened in Maiduguri, Borno State, bringing together health leaders, policymakers and stakeholders to advance Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Hosted by the Borno State government, the event focused on critical issues such as workforce development, community engagement and leveraging digital health solutions. The council underscored the collective responsibility of ensuring accessible, equitable healthcare for all Nigerians.
Delivering the welcome address, Borno State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Prof. Baba Gana emphasised collaboration as key to addressing Nigeria’s healthcare challenges. He commended Borno’s resilience in rebuilding healthcare systems despite the state’s unique challenges.
In his keynote address, Prof. Bala Audu from the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, highlighted the global demand for Nigerian-trained health professionals, emphasising the need for policies that sustain quality training for healthcare workers.
Head of the WHO Nigeria country office, Dr. Walter Mulombo, represented by Dr. Mary Nana-Ama, commended Nigeria’s focus on workforce development and digital health. He affirmed WHO’s support for strengthening the country’s health systems.
The meeting reviewed the implementation of resolutions from the 64th NCH, noting progress in some areas but identifying resource and coordination gaps in others. Director of health planning, research, and statistics, Dr. Kamil Shoretire outlined strategies to address these challenges, calling for sustained funding and commitment.
Delegates focused on three pillars: training and retaining healthcare professionals, fostering community engagement to promote health-seeking behaviours, and leveraging technology to expand healthcare access. Innovations such as telemedicine and data systems were identified as transformative tools for improving service delivery in underserved areas.
The council resolved to adopt actionable strategies to accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.
