The Federal Government has called for a commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s health sector through innovative resource mobilisation and increased local government autonomy.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako made the call during the Joint Annual Review (JAR) meeting in Abuja, which focused on evaluating progress in the health sector, specifically the effectiveness of the sector-wide approach (SWAp).
Science Nigeria reports that the JAR serves as a key platform for driving SWAp in Nigeria, bringing together stakeholders to assess progress, address challenges, and identify improvement opportunities to enhance health outcomes nationwide.
Salako emphasised that these reforms aim to secure more funding for health and social welfare, directly impacting Nigerians’ lives.
He noted that ongoing tax and spending reforms are freeing up resources from less efficient sectors, allowing funds to be redirected to critical areas like healthcare.
“By granting local governments financial autonomy, they are now better positioned to play an active role in primary healthcare, improving health services at the grassroots level,” he explained.
“Local governments are now empowered with resources to focus on primary healthcare. Stakeholders must ensure that a significant portion of these funds is allocated to social welfare, particularly health, to sustain this reform agenda and make lasting impacts on the health of the average Nigerian,” he added.
The minister urged commissioners and local government representatives to prioritise health funding to maintain the momentum of current reforms.
He also highlighted that state governments, which now receive increased funding, are essential in channeling resources toward social welfare programs benefiting citizens.
According to Salako, the financial autonomy granted to local governments will enable them to address primary healthcare needs better, enhancing service delivery in underserved communities.
As part of the broader push for decentralised health funding, he encouraged collaboration among health stakeholders to ensure that resources reach critical areas.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to resource mobilization as a sustainable approach to bridging funding gaps and driving positive change in the health sector.
Several stakeholders at the event expressed optimism about Salako’s remarks, which offer a hopeful outlook for Nigeria’s health sector, envisioning a future where resources are allocated effectively to meet the country’s health and social welfare needs.
