adminHealth Commissioners from the 36 states of Nigeria have called for an increase in the budget for health at all levels of government in the Federation.
While expressing their commitment to strengthen Primary Care services across the country, they highlighted the need for more funding from the government.
The commissioners, together with the Secretary of the Health Mandate for the Federal Capital Territory, also expressed support for the Federal Government’s labor migration policy.
The Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Health Commissioners and the Commissioner for Health, Ekiti State, Dr Oyebanji Filani, disclosed this to journalists at the end of a two-day meeting on Friday in Abuja.
“Health financing was another important issue in our agenda, we are advocating for increased funding for health at all levels of government,” he said.
Filani praised President Bola Tinubu for adopting the National Policy on Health Workforce Migration and for his significant investment in the health care sector.
Acknowledging the acute shortage of health care professionals, as highlighted in the latest NHCF assessment, he stressed the urgent need for new strategies to attract, train and retain skilled workers in the sector of health across Nigeria.
A major part of the discussion focused on the recent decision of the Supreme Court on Local Government Fiscal Autonomy and its implications for Primary Health Care in Nigeria.
The commissioners reiterated their commitment to strengthen PHCs as the backbone of the country’s health care system.
Filani emphasized the importance of ensuring adequate staffing, training, and provision of essential medicines and equipment at the grassroots level.
“A sub-committee has been formed to prepare a position paper on the implications of the High Court’s ruling on PHC Finance.
“This paper will be prepared in consultation with the Nigerian Governors Forum and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare,” he said.
In response to recent outbreaks of cholera, diphtheria and mumps, Commissioners reviewed preparedness and response measures in their various countries.
He commended the leadership of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention and called for continued support to countries to strengthen preparedness and response.
“It was agreed that monthly meetings will be held between the National Health Commissioners and the Director-General of NCDC to strengthen cooperation and preparedness,” he said.
He also pointed out that he is worried about the development of non-communicable diseases such as menstrual bleeding, diabetes and dysentery.
“We have decided to put NCDs at the forefront of our health plans and have decided to launch an awareness campaign with the theme.
He said: “Know your Number, Control your Number,” scheduled for the last quarter of 2024.
He pledged that the commissioners will work to achieve the Universal Health Share and commended the recent efforts of FMoH&SW to promote a Comprehensive Health Care Delivery System.
The commissioner expressed their support for the emerging project of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, which aimed to change the delivery of health care through data-driven decision making.
He also praised 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 their efforts to promote digital health solutions.
Filani affirmed the commitment of the commissioners to improve health outcomes across the country and called on all stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society, to join hands in building a healthier and more prosperous society.
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