By Muhammad Amaan
The Federal Government of Nigeria has appointed the Health Sector Reform Coalition (HSRC) into the Independent Judging Panel (IJP) for the 2024 Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge for State Governors.
A statement by HSRC’s Communication and Media Advisor, Eunice Damisa, said this was contained in the list of reconstituted members of the panel, with the Chairperson, Dr Lecky Muhammed Lecky representing the coalition.
Also, two members of the coalition, Professor Clara Ejembi, the IJP Chairperson, and Dr Lola Mabogunje were re-appointed into the IJP as Chairperson and member respectively, in appreciation of their past performance and dedication.
In their letters of re-appointment, the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said the PHC Leadership Challenge ‘tracks agreed PHC system indicators across states to support the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, encourage governance, build high-level accountability, improve performance management, and enhance investments in critical PHC areas.’
He added that the leadership Challenge provides a unique opportunity to positively alter the country’s development trajectory through a resilient and accountable PHC system.
The PHC Leadership Challenge is organized by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the SWAp Coordination Office of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The Challenge incentivizes States to fully implement PHC Under One Roof, the 2011 Abuja Governors Commitment; and the 2019 Seattle Declaration.
The IJP is responsible for reviewing and validating the report of the independent verification agent that forms the basis for assessing States’ performance for the annual Governors’ Leadership Challenge Award.
The IJP validates the results and determines the winners and ensures that the assessment process is transparent, objective, fair and credible.
Membership of the IJP consists of a chairperson, respected public health and PHC experts drawn from the country’s six geopolitical zones, representatives of CSOs, the media, and the traditional institution.
The PHC Leadership Challenge is funded by the Gates Foundation, and implemented by UNICEF in conjunction with NPHCDA, and the NGF.
The initiative capitalizes on the Seattle Declaration to track and publicly recognize the progress of States in the operationalization of PHCUOR, BHCPF, and the Abuja Declaration. It is a multi-sectoral PHC strengthening project.
Professor Clara Ejembi, the IJP Chairperson, is the HSRC Deputy Chairperson Health Systems Strengthening.
