The Federal Government has urged collective action to address Nigeria’s healthcare challenges, especially those affecting women and children.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Pate made this call during a side event organised by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) at the 65th National Council on Health (NCH) in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The event, titled “ALGON Mission, Mandate and Priority for Health 2024-2030,” emphasised the pivotal role local governments play in shaping health policy and improving outcomes nationwide.
Pate highlighted systemic healthcare barriers, particularly in maternal health, using a personal anecdote of a pregnant woman with eclampsia to underscore the urgency of action.
“This is a true story,” he said, explaining that the woman and her child survived only because of external support. “We must act urgently to build systems that provide affordable, timely interventions for all Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable.”
He called for a unified effort across federal, state, and local levels to address the root causes of preventable deaths. Pate also emphasised the importance of the National Health Act, which aims to ensure universal access to healthcare services.
He stressed the need for improved healthcare infrastructure in rural areas, where limited access to services poses significant challenges. “It’s not just about building more hospitals or clinics; we need trained, supported and well-equipped healthcare workers to deliver quality care,” he said.
Pate also appealed to the private sector to align with government efforts, highlighting the long-term benefits of prioritising women’s health for overall societal improvement.
ALGON national president, Engr. Bello Lawal reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to empowering local governments to deliver essential services. “Our goal is to strengthen local government capacity to serve citizens effectively,” he said.
ALGON chairman in Taraba State, Dr. Aminu Hassan introduced the ALGON PHC Revitalisation and Operationalisation Programme (APH-ROP), designed to improve primary healthcare in Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
“This initiative aligns with national programs like the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund 2.0, aiming for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” Hassan said.
WHO Nigeria Country Representative, Dr. Walter Mulombo emphasised the role of global partnerships in advancing health and education. He commended ongoing efforts to strengthen health systems across the region and expressed optimism about their long-term impact.
President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Dr. Pamela Ajayi highlighted private-sector contributions to healthcare delivery. She cited key initiatives like GDP and the New World Initiative, which leverage telecommunications and mobile health technology to improve primary care in underserved areas.
Co-convener of the UHC2023 Forum, Dr. Garfa Alawode called for united action to reduce preventable deaths, enhance healthcare infrastructure, and support healthcare workers. “Addressing Nigeria’s healthcare challenges requires collective will and decisive action,” Alawode said.
