Coordinating Minister, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammed Ali Pate has announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the adoption, design and implementation of a domesticated, context-sensitive sector-wide approach as an innovative, holistic and coordinated strategy for the improvement of health outcomes.
This was made known by a signed press release by Deworitshe Patricia, Director, Press & Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health and was made public by posts on the ministry’s X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, 17th November 2023, the final day of the just concluded 64th National Council on Health. The event took place in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.
According to the press release, the Minister made the announcement at the opening ceremony of the just concluded 64th National Council on Health.
“We are redesigning the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), established by NHA 2014, to become more effective and efficient in driving the strategic shifts and priority initiatives that will see us moving towards accomplishing our ambitious, but achievable goals and objectives.” The Minister stated.
The press release states that Pate reiterated the efforts of the Federal Government to put in place the necessary structure and framework to effectively and efficiently coordinate programmes. This is to address the wider determinants of health. since it is realized that a lot of the determinants of health are outside the direct control of the Health Sector.
According to him, the sub-themes were carefully chosen, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda to “highlight the priorities of the sector, encourage us to take stock of our journey, putting into consideration the reality of the times and remind us of our ultimate goal of achieving a system that ensures that all people have access to needed health services (including prevention, promotion, treatment, rehabilitation and palliation) of sufficient quality to be effective. while also ensuring that the use of these services does not expose the user the financial hardship (sic).”
#PressRelease #NCH64 pic.twitter.com/s2WyHsZXSc
— Federal Ministry of Health, NIGERIA (@Fmohnigeria) November 17, 2023
Pate opined that the health of the people is a fundamental human right. “It is a measure of our commitment to equity, justice and the dignity of every individual. Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is not a choice, it is an obligation, a promise to provide quality healthcare to all, regardless of their socio-economic status. It is the embodiment of our vision for a healthier and more prosperous nation and a strategic advantage for us as a nation.”
System-wide initiatives for the Health Sector
Prof. Pate said that the Federal Ministry has embarked on a ‘diagnosis to action’ system-wide initiative, taking briefs from all levels and consulting with all relevant stakeholders to achieve Universal Health Coverage. He added that this has led to a 4-point blueprint with cross-cutting enablers:
- Effective Governance
- Efficient, Equitable and Quality Health Systems;
- Unlocking Value Chains
- Health Security.
The Minister said the Ministry remains at the forefront, to continue to maintain stability in our health sector, meet the health needs of our growing population, collectively change our narratives and foster the progress that we desire.
According to the press release, the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, declared the 64th NCH open.
Oyebanji asserted that evidence-based research and development are the foundation of progress in every sector, including healthcare, adding that through research, “we can generate data to guide decision-making and enhance our understanding of health challenges.”
Earlier in his remarks, Minister of State, Dr. Tunde Alausa stated that Nigeria must take a pragmatic approach to the way it responds to the current challenges of human resources for health.
He said, “while it may be difficult to prevent the migration of individuals for greener pastures, we can respond,. by increasing the pool of health workers that we graduate from our institutions on an annual basis,” he explained.
He added that this will reverse the negative impact of the Japa Syndrome Nigeria is currently witnessing.
SOURCE: X (@Fmohnigeria)
