A plea has been made by the Health Commissioners from all 36 states in Nigeria for a boost in the budget allocation for health at every level of government in the Federation.
Their commitment to enhancing the Primary Health Care systems nationwide was accompanied by a strong emphasis on the necessity for increased government funding.
Additionally, the commissioners, alongside the Mandate Secretary of Health for the Federal Capital Territory, voiced their endorsement for the Federal Government’s workforce migration policy.
During a two-day summit in Abuja that concluded on Friday, Chairperson of the Nigeria Health Commissioners’ Forum and Commissioner for Health, Ekiti State, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, disclosed these insights to the press.
“Our agenda prominently featured health financing, with a strong advocacy for increased budget allocations for health across all levels of government,” remarked Filani.
Filani lauded President Bola Tinubu for approving the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration and for his substantial investment in the healthcare sector.
Addressing the critical shortage of healthcare professionals, as highlighted in a recent NHCF assessment, he stressed the immediate need for innovative strategies to attract, train, and retain skilled workers within Nigeria’s health sector.
A significant portion of the discussions pinpointed the recent Supreme Court ruling on Local Government Financial Autonomy and its ramifications for Primary Healthcare in Nigeria.
The commissioners reiterated their dedication to fortifying PHCs as the cornerstone of the nation’s healthcare system.
Filani underscored the necessity of ensuring adequate staffing, training, and the availability of essential medicines and equipment at the grassroots level.
“A sub-committee has been established to craft a position paper on the implications of the Supreme Court judgment for PHC financing.
“This document will be developed in conjunction with the Nigerian Governors Forum and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare,” he disclosed.
In response to recent outbreaks of cholera, diphtheria, and mpox, the Commissioners reviewed the readiness and response strategies in their respective states.
He lauded the leadership of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and urged for ongoing support to states to bolster their preparedness and response.
“It was unanimously agreed upon to hold monthly meetings between State Health Commissioners and the Director-General of the NCDC to enhance coordination and preparedness,” he added.
He also expressed unease over the escalating incidence of non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and renal diseases.
“We have resolved to give priority to NCDs in our state health agendas and are set to launch a comprehensive awareness campaign titled
“Know your Number, Control your Number,” slated for the final quarter of 2024,” he revealed.
He pledged the commissioners’ commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage and hailed the recent initiatives of the FMoH&SW in advancing the Sector-Wide Approach to healthcare delivery.
The commissioners extended their support for the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s emergent digital health project, aimed at revolutionizing healthcare delivery through data-informed decision-making.
He also commended the leadership of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, and the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for championing digital health solutions.
Filani reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the commissioners to enhancing health outcomes nationwide and urged all stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society, to unite in fostering a healthier and more prosperous nation.
NAN.