The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako emphasised the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to improving Nigeria’s health system, urging greater collaboration among government agencies, private stakeholders and development partners.
Delivering his keynote address at the joint annual review meeting under the sector-wide approach (SWAp) on Tuesday in Abuja, Salako stated that a coordinated effort is essential to address Nigeria’s health challenges and achieve sustainable healthcare for all citizens.
“The sector-wide approach is central to strengthening our health system. It’s not just about enhancing healthcare services but ensuring that all sectors—health, education and social welfare—work together toward national health goals,” he said.
The minister further highlighted that monitoring and accountability are crucial aspects of the sector-wide approach.
He stressed the importance of tools like the Joint Annual Review (JAR) to assess health sector performance, resource allocation and key health indicators, including mortality rates, disease incidences and life expectancy.
“We must monitor our progress precisely. The Joint Annual Review will enable us to evaluate program outcomes and stay focused on improving care quality and patient experiences nationwide,” he explained.
The event brought together key stakeholders, including state governors, health ministers, and development partners and also addressed the emerging challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare workforce.
Salako pointed out the growing human resources crisis, stressing the need for urgent action in training, retaining and deploying health professionals to meet the country’s healthcare demands.
“We cannot achieve universal health coverage without tackling the human resources challenges in our health sector. Now is the time for us to implement lasting solutions,” he added.
As part of Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the minister called for renewed efforts to ensure all Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable, have access to quality, affordable healthcare services.
He urged continued cross-sector collaboration to boost health sector investments and align all stakeholders in advancing the government’s health reform agenda.
“Together, we can achieve President Tinubu’s vision for a healthier, more prosperous Nigeria. Let’s work to ensure that no one is left behind in accessing quality healthcare,” he said.
Science Nigeria reports that the three-day event will focus on setting priorities for the next phase of Nigeria’s health sector reforms and exploring solutions to the country’s healthcare challenges.
