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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has commended healthcare service providers along the value chain as well as international and local investors/partners for their support and cooperation in the health sector reforms, particularly through the platform of the Sector-Wide Approach.
The Minister, in his remarks delivered at the maiden Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review, in Abuja, on Wednesday, stated the preliminary report indicated that the Ministry and its stakeholders are on the verge of exceeding the Key Performance Indicators (KPI), they set for themselves.
The Minister’s position was, however, corroborated by international partners, notably, UNICEF, WHO, Global Fund, Gavi, World Bank, Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation, and several other ones including local partners, who attended the meeting.
In a presentation, the Minister stated that figures from key population outcomes are on the positives. “For the first time, we have fulfilled two major commitments: conducting this Joint Annual Review and presenting the State of Health Report for Nigeria. These reports symbolize our dedication to transparency, accountability, and progress.
“Our commitment to improving population health outcomes has shown tangible results. Data from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) reveals a 16.7 per cent reduction in under-five mortality between 2018 and 2023. We have also recorded a 40 per cent reduction in diarrheal diseases, a 24 per cent reduction in tuberculosis, and a 12 per cent reduction in HIV prevalence. These achievements underscore the impact of our collective efforts.
“But despite the challenges that persist, we are moving in the right direction. 17 states have shown remarkable improvement in modern contraceptive usage, with six states doubling their efforts.
“Today, we are presenting the inaugural edition of the State of Health Report, which provides an in-depth, evidence-based analysis of our health sector’s current standing. We will review the report chapter by chapter, diving into the data, discussing the implications, and identifying key areas where targeted interventions can make a real difference. These discussions will ensure that all relevant insights and feedback are incorporated.
“After the deliberations, the report will undergo final revision and will then be formally presented to the Mr. President, as well as the leadership of the National Assembly. In this way, we ensure that our progress and challenges are transparently shared with the entire nation so that all Nigerians are informed about where we currently stand in our journey toward achieving health equity and quality care for every citizen.”
Health, being an item in the concurrent legislative list, the Minister further solicited for more political will from the state governments, and challenged them to increase their budgetary allocations to health sector in the coming year so the progress and momentum can be sustained.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, explained that 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.
He said: “As a critical accountability tool, we shall be using the JAR to promote multisectoral coordination and sets clear priorities for the upcoming year, ensuring that all stakeholders remain aligned with national health goals.”
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, who spoke on behalf of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) acknowledged the progress so far recorded in the health sector, and informed the stakeholders that the Governors are committed to any cause that will herald an improved healthcare of the population.
Meanwhile, representatives of the several international partners pledged their support to the Sector-Wide Program of the Federal Ministry of Health, a pointer to their support to the programme and the reforms in the health sector.
