Health commissioners from Nigeria’s 36 states, along with the Mandate Secretary of Health for the Federal Capital Territory, have pledged to tackle critical health challenges in the country.
The commitment came at the conclusion of a two-day summit held on Friday in Abuja, organised under the Nigerian Health Commissioners Forum (NHCF). Chairperson of the NHCF and the Ekiti State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, chaired the event.
During the summit, the commissioners lauded President Bola Tinubu for approving the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration and his significant investments in the healthcare sector. The Commissioners acknowledged the pressing shortage of healthcare professionals, as highlighted in a recent NHCF assessment and emphasised the need for innovative strategies to attract, train and retain skilled workers across Nigeria’s health sector.
A key focus of the discussions was the recent Supreme Court ruling on local government financial autonomy and its implications for primary healthcare (PHC) in Nigeria. The commissioners reiterated their dedication to strengthening PHCs as the backbone of the nation’s healthcare system. They stressed the importance of ensuring adequate staffing, training, and the provision of essential medicines and equipment at the grassroots level.
To address the implications of the Supreme Court judgment for PHC financing, the commissioners established a sub-committee tasked with developing a position paper. This document will be prepared in consultation with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMoH&SW).
In light of recent outbreaks of cholera, diphtheria and Mpox, the commissioners reviewed preparedness and response measures in their respective states. They praised the leadership of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and called for ongoing support to states to strengthen preparedness and response capabilities. To enhance coordination and readiness, it was agreed that monthly meetings would be held between state health commissioners and the director-general of the NCDC.
The rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes and renal diseases also garnered significant attention. The commissioners resolved to prioritise NCDs in their state health agendas and committed to launching a comprehensive awareness campaign titled “Know Your Number, Control Your Number,” scheduled for the last quarter of 2024.
Health financing was another critical issue on the agenda. The Commissioners advocated for increased budget allocations for health at all levels of government and pledged to work towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). They commended the recent efforts of the FMoH&SW in promoting the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) in healthcare delivery.
The commissioners expressed their support for the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s emerging digital health initiative, which aims to transform healthcare delivery through data-driven decision-making. They praised the leadership of the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate and the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa for their efforts in advancing digital health solutions.
The health commissioners reaffirmed their commitment to improving health outcomes across Nigeria. They called on all stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society, to collaborate in building a healthier and more prosperous nation.
