By Muhammad Amaan
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOH) has inaugurated sub-committees for the 67th Regular National Council on Health (NCH), urging members to demonstrate diligence, professionalism, integrity and objectivity.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ms Daju Kachollom, gave the charge at the inaugural meeting of the sub-committees in Abuja.
This was contained in a press statement issued by Ado Bako, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations at the federal ministry of health and social welfare.
The permanent secretary, who was represented by the Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr John Ovuoraye, described the NCH as a critical platform for coordination, policy dialogue and decision-making within Nigeria’s health sector.
She said the Technical Committee and its various sub-committees provided the foundation for developing sound, evidence-based and implementable recommendations for consideration by the council.
Ms Kachollom commended members for accepting the responsibility and making themselves available to contribute to the success of the 67th NCH.
She said their participation reflected a shared commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s health system and improving the health and well-being of Nigerians.
“The quality of the work produced by these sub-committees will have a direct bearing on the effectiveness of the recommendations that will be presented to the NCH,” she said.
The permanent secretary urged members to approach their assignments with open minds and a strong commitment to achieving results.
She also encouraged constructive engagement between the ministry and the Nasarawa State Local Organising Committee (LOC).
Also speaking, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health, Dr Shekwonugaza Gwamna, reaffirmed the state’s readiness to collaborate with the ministry to ensure a successful council meeting.
Gwamna, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the state ministry, Dr Ibrahim Adamu-Hassan, said the inaugural meeting provided an opportunity for the Local Organising Committee to present progress made so far, receive guidance and strengthen preparations for the event.
The meeting also focused on key preparatory issues, including the formal inauguration of the sub-committees, clarification of the roles and responsibilities of chairmen and members, review and finalisation of the logo for the 67th Regular NCH, and guidance on the format and timely submission of memoranda by states.
The N meeting was attended physically by members of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and virtually by members of the Nasarawa State LOC.
The 67th Regular NCH is scheduled to hold from November 16 to November 20 in Lafia, Nasarawa State, with the theme: “From Commitment to Results: Delivering Quality and Equitable Healthcare for All Nigerians.”
The meeting is expected to bring together key stakeholders from the Federal and state health sectors to deliberate on critical health priorities and develop actionable recommendations towards improving the quality, equity and responsiveness of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
