By Bilkisu Adejoh
The World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Mulombo has charged the highest health decision-making body in Nigeria (NCH) to do something differently by exploring its innovative approaches in engaging the Federal Ministry of Health and the States to improve performance and the tracking of implementation and council resolutions to avert emerging threats in the country.
He gave the charge at the 64th National Council on Health (NCH), held in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, 13-17 November 2023, with the theme “Building Resilience and Inclusive Healthcare System for a Healthy Nigeria.”
Dr. Walter said the burden of out-of-pocket expenditure on health as well as the growing burden of communicable, and non-communicable diseases in Nigeria requires an uncommon reform, adding that meeting the Universal Health Coverage target needs the effort of all to make the health sector work effectively.
The NCH, as you know, provides a unique opportunity for the leaders of the Federal Ministry of Health and the State Ministries of Health with support from partners to evaluate implementation, co-create new ideas, and take far-reaching decisions on the future of the health sector in Nigeria. Indeed, the sub-themes of this 64th NCH are very appropriate as they focus on the critical issues of the health workforce, evidence-based research and development, health systems governance and access towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), digital transformation in health, and innovative financing.
with the burden of out-of-pocket expenditure on health which is the highest in the region, a growing burden of non-communicable diseases on the background of high burden of communicable diseases, high maternal and childhood mortality rates, an unpredictable landscape in terms of multiple health emergencies, and a growing population, the health sector
WHO country presentative believes a radical shift from mere concepts to clear actions is paramount to achieving measurable results and urged the NCH to leverage the strengths and opportunities of each tier of government to come up with strategies for overcoming challenges under the Health Sector Renewal Investment Program.
