The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, has asserted that the health sector is relentless in its resolve to deliver efficient, equitable, and quality health system for all Nigerians.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Health Sector Wide Joint Annual Review (JAR), which took place Wednesday, 6th October, he said, “Let us remember that the lives of Nigerians—especially women, children, and the most vulnerable; are at stake.
“We must do everything within our power to safeguard their well-being, and we will be relentless in our resolve to deliver an efficient, equitable, and quality health system for all Nigerians. By the grace of God, we shall succeed.”
The Minister, in reeling off some of the efforts of the health sector, stated that, “In the last year, based on a comprehensive, data-driven diagnostic assessment of the health sector, we developed a strategic blueprint aimed at saving lives, alleviating physical and financial burdens, and fostering health for all Nigerians.
“This blueprint is founded upon four key pillars: Effective Governance, Improving Population Health Outcomes through a robust health system, balancing our efforts with preventive and promotive approaches within a multi-sectoral mindset, unlocking the healthcare value chain, and enhancing health security.
“This blueprint, launched by Mr. President, serves as the foundation of our efforts, underpinned by a collaborative approach to achieve our national health objectives.
He asserted that for the first time, they have fulfilled two major commitments; conducting the Joint Annual Review and presenting the State of Health Report for Nigeria. These reports according to him, “symbolize our dedication to transparency, accountability, and progress.”
“By the third quarter of 2024, we have met 31 out of the 41 key performance indicators (KPIs) across Presidential Commitments, and we are on track to surpass all our targets for the year.
“In alignment with Mr. President’s commitment to strengthening the health workforce, we have set a target to retrain 120,000 frontline health workers.
“So far, more than 40,000 workers have received training, and we are well on our way to meeting and exceeding this target. Through the SWAp Coordinating Office, under the capable leadership of Dr. Muntaqa, all states have now developed and hosted their Annual Operational Plans (AOPs), identifying gaps and setting the stage for future collaborations with our partners focused on population health outcomes.”
Speaking in furtherance of the achievement in the health sector, Prof Pate said that, “Despite the challenges that persist, Nigeria is moving in the right direction. Seventeen states have shown marked improvement in modern contraceptive usage, with six states doubling their efforts. I am pleased to acknowledge that Imo State, represented here by the Governor, is among the highest-performing states in contraceptive use and state health insurance coverage.
“I thank Mr. President, who recognizes that good health is critical to harnessing Nigeria’s greatest asset; our people, particularly our youth. His commitment to ensuring that all Nigerians can access quality health services without financial hardship has been demonstrated through a significant increase in the federal budget allocation to health and social sectors in 2024.
“This remarkable commitment will go a long way in addressing the financial gaps that have historically hindered Nigeria from achieving an equitable, quality health system.
“Today, we launch not only the State of Health Report but also the Public Perception Survey and the Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Report. This report addresses our core priorities in responding to the impacts of climate change on health—a critical issue as we look to the future.
“I am also especially pleased that my colleague, the new Minister of State, who has extensive experience from the Ministry of Environment, brings invaluable expertise to this effort. This Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Report comes at a pivotal moment, as it underscores the intersection of climate and health. As we work to improve population health outcomes, we must also address the environmental factors impacting health. Our collaboration with the Ministry of Environment will be essential in ensuring that we protect our most vulnerable communities and build a resilient, healthier Nigeria that is prepared for future challenges.
He said, “I call upon all of us here to action. The task ahead is enormous, and it demands our collective efforts and genuine partnerships. Let us embrace a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, including our development partners, to help us build a healthier Nigeria.
Once again, I extend my gratitude to Mr. President for his dedication to this cause, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for health, said, that it was an auspicious and a unique opportunity for him to participate in the maiden event, with his redeployment from the Federal Ministry of Environment to the health ministry in the recent cabinet reshuffle by President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, the Joint Annual Review (JAR) is a vital instrument for health sector stakeholders to assess program performance, evaluate resource distribution, and review outcomes or issues that need to be addressed to improve performance.
“As a critical accountability tool, we shall be using the JAR to promote multisectoral coordination and set clear priorities for the upcoming year, ensuring that all stakeholders remain aligned with national health goals
“We are gathered here for the next 3-days to design for ourselves a context specific platform for fostering accountability, enhancing collaboration, and driving progress for the implementation of the the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Initiative (NHSRII)
Speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Health Ministry, Daju Kachollom said, “the Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review is also an opportunity to review the preliminary findings of the Annual State of Health Report and the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS 2023).)
“It also sets to strengthen accountability by way of tracking progress against set targets and goals, thereby holding stakeholders accountable and identifying areas of improvement. This I believe, will reduce duplication of efforts, optimize resource allocation, streamline processes and enhances donor confidence.
According to the Perm Sec, “over the past years, we have faced multifaceted challenges within our health sector, yet, we have also witnessed remarkable resilience and innovation. The challenges have forced us to adapt quickly to ensure that essential health services remain accessible to all. We have demonstrated our capacity to mobilize resources, develop new innovations and collaborate effectively, all of which have been crucial in navigating these turbulent times.
As we commence review of our performance, it will be noted that key initiatives aimed at enhancing maternal and child health, combating infectious diseases, and expanding access to mental health services have shown promising results. It is imperative that we prioritize health equity and work diligently to close these gaps especially among the vulnerable and the hard to reach areas, through targeted interventions and community engagement.
