By Amina Haladu
The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) has paid an advocacy visit to the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services, Hon. Amos Magaji, to strengthen collaboration, review progress achieved in 2025, and align priorities for 2026.
The engagement reaffirmed a shared commitment to advancing accountability and improving health financing outcomes.
Speaking during the visit, Hon. Magaji reflected on the Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) Legislative Retreat that produced the Lagos Declaration, describing it as a turning point that shifted health discussions into concrete legislative oversight.
The lawmaker said following the retreat, he conducted oversight visits to Primary Health Care facilities across several states, engaging Commissioners for Health, assessing service delivery conditions, and advocating for the release of sub-national health allocations.
According to him, the actions demonstrate a clear focus on translating budget decisions into frontline impact.
The meeting also explored institutional measures to strengthen coordination between the executive and legislative arms, including a proposal to establish a dedicated Ministry of Health desk within the House to facilitate structured updates and improve accountability processes.
On Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Hon. Magaji reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to accelerate enrollment, targeting at least 40 million Nigerians under health insurance coverage before the end of 2026.
He further emphasized the importance of strict oversight of the Cancer Health Fund under the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment to ensure transparency and effective implementation.
Health Reporters Newspaper reports that the discussions also covered sustainable financing for vaccines and maternal, newborn and child health commodities within the 2026 fiscal cycle, with alignment on the need for continued legislative advocacy and protection of critical health budget lines.
To institutionalize collaboration, both parties agreed to quarterly engagements to track progress, address implementation gaps, and coordinate strategic support.
The meeting reinforced strong legislative leadership and a shared resolve to prioritize equity, accountability, and improved health outcomes for Nigerians.
